Citizens of Singapore!

In this week’s assignment, I am going to adopt a local blogger’s blog to address/discuss about politics in Singapore. His blog URL and title is: http://bleongcw.typepad.com/simple_is_the_reason_of_m/2007/03/the_first_world.html, Titled as. The First Worlds, Our Destination? His name is, Bernard Leong. He is currently an adjunct assistant professor in National University of Singapore Entrepreneurship Centre.

Key conversations:

In Bernard’s blog, he talks about how difficult it is to implement the vision to take Singapore to the first world. Furthermore, he listed 5 features that he feels that the first world should have. Bernard Leong wrote a very interesting piece about Singapore’s progress towards the First World. And, he outlined some characteristics which he thought represents what it means to be in the First World. I quote his opinion on the politics in a First World country.
“The real issue is that when you are in a first world country, you always hear all different points of views. One political party gains power and starts to undo the other’s legacy. So, in the end, political ideologies trump over public policies. Although it might not be as efficient as others, at least the politicians have to learn how to humble themselves to convince others to agree with them.”
I agree fully with Bernard’s opinion. Even the wackos get their say in first world countries. True, it is not time-efficient to listen to the opinions of wackos. But therein lies the rub. How do we know they are wackos? Could the “wackos” actually be geniuses in disguise, just that the majority has yet to acquire the capability of understanding what they are talking about?
Politically, I think that it is important for diversity of opinions. Government policies are usually not made for the short term. As such, the effects of policies are usually felt some time down the road, and if it turns out to be a wrong move, the cost of repairing the damage is usually very high. This is why it is important to hear as many different views as possible, and to actually account for such views in decision-making.

Singapore’s political situation is in such a way that one party dominates the scene. This is not a bad thing in the sense that it allows the Singapore government to respond more quickly, and much more efficiently compared to other countries. However, this very strength could turn out to be Singapore’s own undoing, especially if the wrong policies were executed very efficiently.
I am aware that the PAP dominated Singapore government does its homework before embarking on any major policy. Nevertheless, the possibility of groupthink is very real. A bunch of highly intelligent policy makers might not be able to escape the effect of groupthink. Therefore, it is perhaps wiser to have a divided political system where no party is dominant. No doubt, that it is less efficient to try to convince another party, and to make some concessions in the process.

Therefore, I shall relate back to today’s topic of whether the internet (blogs) allows better democracy in Singapore. After reading Bernard’s blog, I think that blogs will definitely be a good way of playing in a part in desion-makings. As mentioned earlier, it is very important to hear different views from people around Singapore to truly know what they want and what they think about Singapore.

According to Alinta Thomton, Does Internet create Democracy, “citizens can exchange views on matters of importance to the common good, so that public opinion can be formed. This public sphere comes into being when people gather to discuss issues of political concern.” I agree with her argument.

Singapore in fact, allows freedom of speech and anyone can comment on anything they want. But in Singapore, one has to be careful of what they says and what they do. Because, in this “kiasu and kiasi” society, we as Singaporeans, often take what we can do for granted. Freedom of speech are often a way to scold the government and insult them.

To conclude, I think that Singapore can come out with an online blogging system which must be registered for. People all around Singapore can login and comment about issues and their thoughts. Just as what Bernard has stated in his blog, “in the west, you can say it with a considerable amount of comfort, but that also means that insults and personal attacks are more common as well.” Well, if such system is created, I am sure many Singaporeans will start blogging on “OUR” issues and not just “THEM” (the LEEs’)

Citations:

Thornton, A. (2002, October). Does Internet Create Democracy. Retrieved March 23, 2007 from http://www.zip.com.au/%7Eathornto/thesis_2002_alinta_thornton.doc

Bernard,L (2007, March) The First Worlds, Our Destination. Retrieved March 23, 2007 from http://bleongcw.typepad.com/simple_is_the_reason_of_m/2007/03/the_first_world.html
benbasket at 12:18 PM