What are the challenges in deciding what is good for society?
- Differing needs and interests
- Differing priorities
- Unequal sharing of costs
Give an example of differing needs and interests.
An efficient transportation system would be an important priority for those without their own mode of transport. However, those with their own mode of transport may be more concerned about an efficient road network to ensure that they are able to reach their destination quickly and efficiently.
Give an example of differing priorities.
The citizens of a country may agree that it is important for the country to provide affordable healthcare, a good education and a clean environment. However, the citizens may disagree on which area the government should prioritise. Parents with school-going children would likely want more resources to be invested in education. On the other hand, the elderly would likely prefer more resources to keep healthcare affordable to meet their medical needs.
Give an example of the unequal sharing of costs in society.
When a decision is made, some individuals or groups will have to bear greater costs than others. For example, in building an efficient transport system for the country, it is necessary to build expressways for smooth traffic flow. While society will generally benefit, residents living near the expressways may be affected by the noise generated from the traffic.
Give an example of the Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) syndrome.
Often, residents living near public facilities such as expressways believe that these developments are needed. However, they also believe that these facilities should be built further away from their homes, so that they do not have to bear with the inconveniences associated with them. In Singapore, the NIMBY situation is even more difficult as Singapore has limited land and such facilities would invariably be built near where some people live.
How does the government manage conflicting demands?
- Understanding trade-offs
- Decision making in a representative democracy
- Legislature
- Executive
- Judiciary - Ideas shaping governance
- Having good leadership
- Anticipating change and staying relevant
- Providing a stake for everyone
- Practising meritocracy
Give an example of a trade-off the Singapore government had to make.
In 2014, the government had to make a decision to acquire land previously used for other purposes, such as residential and commercial, to build the Thomson-East Coast Line. When fully operational in 2024, the new MRT line is expected to serve about 500 000 commuters daily in the initial years, rising to about one million commuters daily in the longer term. However, by making this decision, the trade-off was that this piece of land could no longer be used for recreation or industry in the future. Very often, the government needs to balance the costs of trade-offs with what it chooses to spend its resources on.
Define opportunity cost.
A benefit that a person could have received, but gave up, to take another course of action. It can also be seen as the next best alternative.
Name Singapore’s 3 organs of state and briefly describe what they are in charge of.
- Judiciary: interprets and applies laws
- Executive: implements laws
- Legislature: makes laws
What does the legislature consist of and what is its main responsibility?
- Consists of the President and Parliament.
- Main responsibility is to pass laws for Singapore.
- The Legislature meets during Parliament sessions to discuss important national issues and make laws. Besides representing citizens in Parliament, MPs also contribute towards holding the government accountable for the use of the country’s financial resources.
What constitutes the Parliament?
Parliament is made up of elected, non-constituency and nominated Members of Parliament (MPs).
What is another important role of Parliament other than discussing important national issues and passing laws?
Serve as the Committee of Supply
- Sits for seven days or more in March to discuss the estimates of expenditure for the coming financial year.
- Committee considers each ministry’s request for funds and votes on it.
- After voting on the estimates, they report their decision to the Parliament
- Parliament will then debate and vote on the amount of money that the government may spend in the coming financial year, aka the Supply Bill
What does the Executive consist of and what is its main responsibility?
Comprises:
- the Cabinet led by the Prime Minister
- Deputy Prime Ministers
- Ministers for the 16 Ministries
Main responsibility:
- All government policies
- Day-to-day administrations of the affairs of the state
What are the ministries responsible for?
Formulating and implementing government policies in areas such as education, healthcare, housing and transport.
What does the Judiciary consist of and what is its main responsibility?
Consists of:
- Supreme Court
- State Courts
- Family Justice Courts
Main responsibility:
- Laws made by the Legislature are interpreted and applied by the Judiciary
Note! Judicial power in Singapore is vested in the Supreme Court.
What are the ideas shaping governance that have contributed to successful policies and the development of Singapore?
- Having good leadership
- Anticipating change and staying relevant
- Providing a stake for everyone
- Practising meritocracy
What are qualities you would like to see in your government representatives/ leaders who have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the people?
Honest and capable
- Given the complex nature of decision-making, leaders must have the moral courage and integrity to do what is right, including making decisions that may not be popular with the people. Leaders of good moral character and who are incorruptible can win the confidence and the respect of the people.
- Incorruptible leaders will make decisions for the good of the country rather than for personal interests.
How does the government anticipate change and stay relevant?
When citizens’ needs and interests are adversely affected in the short term due to a decision based on more long term considerations, tensions may arise. The government needs to manage these tensions and remain forward-looking. They need to make decisions that will benefit the people of Singapore in the future.
Give an example of how the government anticipated change and stayed relevant.
Integrated Resorts (IR)
- In April 2005, the government decided to build two IRs at Marina Bay and Sentosa
- Till this day, tensions between the economic benefits and social costs are difficult to resolve.
- The government anticipated change and stayed relevant by seeking potential economic benefits, such as job opportunities and higher tourist spending.
- The government was aware of the social consequences in terms of concerns about higher gambling rates and took measures to lessen the potential impact of problem gambling.
- The National Council of Problem Gambling was set up to conduct public education and outreach on problem gambling prevention, as well as provide counselling services for problem gamblers and their family members.
Give two examples of how the government provides a stake for everyone.
- Our Singapore Conversation
- Singaporeans share their views, hopes and dreams about Singapore (policies and decision making) - Home ownership
- The Public Housing Scheme (PHS) enables many Singaporeans to own their own homes, for example, through the provision of housing grants. A couple who applies for public housing for the first time is eligible for the Special Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Grant and may qualify for Additional CPF Housing Grant.
Define meritocracy.
Meritocracy refers to a system that distributes opportunities to enable future successes.
How is meritocracy practised?
People are awarded according to the effort they put in rather than factors such as their race, religion, or socio-economic background. When people are rewarded based on their abilities and effort, they are encouraged to work hard.
Give an example of how meritocracy is practised.
Students who perform well in their studies and CCAs are rewarded in ways to help them excel further in their education. The Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary schemes reward the top 10 per cent and 25 per cent of school students respectively.
