The document summarizes four ideas that have shaped governance in Singapore:
1) Having good leadership, exemplified by the COE system which was unpopular but necessary
2) Anticipating change and staying relevant, such as allowing casinos but regulating gambling
3) Providing a stake for everyone through policies like public housing
4) Practicing meritocracy but ensuring it does not become a new form of inequality
The document summarizes four ideas that have shaped governance in Singapore:
1) Having good leadership, exemplified by the COE system which was unpopular but necessary
2) Anticipating change and staying relevant, such as allowing casinos but regulating gambling
3) Providing a stake for everyone through policies like public housing
4) Practicing meritocracy but ensuring it does not become a new form of inequality
The document summarizes four ideas that have shaped governance in Singapore:
1) Having good leadership, exemplified by the COE system which was unpopular but necessary
2) Anticipating change and staying relevant, such as allowing casinos but regulating gambling
3) Providing a stake for everyone through policies like public housing
4) Practicing meritocracy but ensuring it does not become a new form of inequality
By the end of this lesson… • I am able to describe the following Ideas Shaping Governance: • Having good leadership • Anticipating change and staying relevant • Providing a stake for everyone • Practising meritocracy • I am able to explain how each of the Ideas Shaping Governance have contributed to successful policies and the development of Singapore. Link to previous Parts of the Chapter • As we have seen, deciding what is good for society is tough. (Part 1) • In Singapore, we empower an elected government to make such decisions for us. (Part 2) • The Ideas Shaping Governance are the values/ principles that guide our government in making those decisions. Idea 1: Having Good Leadership • Leaders must be honest and capable, with the moral courage and integrity to do what is right, not just what is popular. • Leaders must be incorruptible, making decisions for the good of the country rather than for personal gain. Idea 1: Having Good Leadership • Example: the COE (Certification of Entitlement) system • Potential car buyers in Singapore need to bid on COEs, which more than triples the price of a car. Compare the prices in the USA vs in Singapore. Idea 1: Having Good Leadership • When COE was first introduced in 1990, how do you think car buyers in Singapore reacted? • What about those who did not own a car but hoped to do so one day? • Nobody likes COE, but the government saw the necessity of such a policy despite its unpopularity. The literally textbook example – the Integrated Resorts (i.e. the casinos) Idea 2: Anticipating Change & Staying Relevant • Integrated resorts – a situation of economic benefits vs social costs • In building IRs, the government tried to prepare Singapore to stay relevant to the global economy in seeking potential economic benefits, e.g. job opportunities & higher tourists spending. • However, problem gambling was/is a potential social cost. Anticipating change, the government set up the National Council on Problem Gambling, whose mission includes public education and outreach to prevent problem gambling, as well as providing counselling services for problem gamblers and their family members. Idea 3: Providing a stake for Everyone • What is a STAKE? • Original meaning – the sum of money you put up in a game of chance • E.g. “high-stakes poker” • Meaning in this context – a share/interest in a business, a situation, or a system • E.g. “Jeff Bezos still has a 10.6% stake in Amazon.” • E.g. “The wedding couple are my good friends, so I have a stake in their happiness.” • Important – a stake does not have to be financial/monetary; it can also be emotional. Idea 3: Providing a stake for Everyone • E.g. of financial stake: Public Housing Scheme (PHS) • Singaporeans can own homes with housing grants from the government. • A couple applying for HDB for the first time can get the Special Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Grant and may qualify for additional CPF Housing Grant Idea 3: Providing a stake for Everyone • E.g. of financial stake: Public Housing Scheme (PHS) • Link – This gives Singaporeans a financial reason to care for Singapore’s success as their home value if Singaporean’s economy continues to do well. Conversely, if Singapore is conquered, their property investment vanishes. Idea 3: Providing a stake for Everyone • E.g. of emotional stake: Our Singapore Conversation – will be discussed in greater detail in Chapter 3. Idea 4: practising meritocracy • “Meritocracy” – the rule by the best/most worthy • Rewarding people according to their abilities & effort, instead of race, religion, or socio-economic status (SES) • At its best, meritocracy encourages people to work hard • Example in schools: • Edusave Scholarship – top 10% • Merit Bursary – top 25% Idea 4: practising meritocracy • However, over time Meritocracy needs to be refreshed or it can become another form of inequality. • Families who have done well through meritocracy would always want to give their children a “head start” – including tuition, enrichment, special coaching, etc. • At its worst, meritocracy becomes an excuse for inequality • E.g. “You are poor because you are lazy.” • E.g. “I deserve to be this rich because I have worked hard for it.”