What is the role of a government?

(Warm up)Buzz with your friends…

Q: What do you think is the government’s role in a country?

Governance

In this chapter, we will answer the following questions: • How is governance practiced in Singapore?• What are the guiding principles that are used

by our government to run the country?

Government of Singapore

Legislature• Consists of the

President and Members of Parliament

• Makes the laws of the country

Executive• President+ Cabinet • Executes laws made

by Parliament• Administers

government policies through the Ministries and the Civil Service

Judiciary• Consists of

various judges and law courts

• Ensures that laws are justly carried out

• Ensures laws passed do not breach the constitution

Legislature

• A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and other money bills. Legislatures are known by many names, the most common being parliament and congress, although these terms also have more specific meanings.

• Makes the laws• These laws help to keep order in the society

eg. Prevention of crime• People can carry on with their work and life

with a peace of mind• (See TB pg 30 for how this

works…)

Legislature

Executive• The President and the Cabinet make up the

executive.• They make government policies.• The ministers consult with senior officers in

Civil service to map out directions, goals and broad strategies to carry out these policies.

• When the executive carries outpolicies, feedback from the public isConsidered.• See TB pg 32 for an example…

Ministries in Singapore that are part of the Executive

• Ministry Of Communications And Information (MCI) • Ministry Of Culture, Community And Youth (MCCY) • Ministry Of Defence (MINDEF) • Ministry Of Education (MOE) • Ministry Of Finance (MOF) • Ministry Of Foreign Affairs (MFA) • Ministry Of Health (MOH) • Ministry Of Home Affairs (MHA) • Ministry Of Law (MINLAW) • Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) • Ministry Of National Development (MND)• Ministry Of Social And Family Development (MSF) • Ministry Of The Environment And Water Resources (MEWR) • Ministry Of Trade And Industry (MTI)• Ministry Of Transport (MOT) • Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

Judiciary

• Our Judiciary is made up of the Chief Justice (CJ) and judges.

• It makes judgements independently and is not influenced by views of political leaders or other influential people.

Principles of Governance

1. Leadership is Key

• Leaders must have the moral courage to do what is right and not what is popular.

• They are key to ensuring the successful development of the country.

• Leaders must have certain qualities like fairness, courage, honesty, capability.

• 1] The introduction of the ERP to manage traffic flow shows leadership is key is an important principle.

• not popular because motorists must pay for the use of the roads but necessary to ensure that traffic jams do not disrupt our economic development

• 2] The arts scene in Singapore made progress under the good leadership of Mr Liu Thai Ker who saw the need for a more vibrant arts scene. Under Mr Liu’s capable leadership, local talents have more opportunities to participate locally and internationally in Arts-related activities.

• Singapore became internationally recognized and vibrant making it an attractive place for tourism.

• This is an important principle because:• capable leaders help win the confidence and respect of the people

leading to stability in the country. • country’s success depends on good leaders. They make decisions

with the country’s interest at heart and not just what is popular with the people.

• good leaders win confidence of foreign investors because of

honest practices, good diplomatic ties and sound policies implemented.

• good leadership looks at the needs and aspirations of the people to create a sense of belonging.

Therefore, a country’s success depends on leadership

2. Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• This means we must be forward looking to deal with present and future challenges facing the country.

• Government/ its people should come up with policies to help the country overcome challenges and stay competitive.

• 1] Water Policy. • Singapore has limited water resources and we

are heavily dependent on Malaysia for water. • Our water agreements will end in 2011 and

2061.• In the face of this challenge, Singapore has

diversified its water resources through a number of ways to meet our water needs like expanding our reservoirs and setting up NEWater plants to process sewage water into drinkable water.

• 2] The decision to build the 2 integrated resorts at Marina Bay and Sentosa in 2005.

• came about because the tourism sector faced stiffer competition with more countries in Asia developing major tourist attractions.

• The new IRs would be able to help Singapore’s tourism sector stay relevant and compete with new emerging Asian tourist attractions by offering multiple world-class attractions in one location.

• 3] Taking Risks and Being open to new ideas.• Singaporeans are encouraged to anticipate change and

stay relevant by upgrading their knowledge and skills so as to contribute effectively to the nation’s economy.

• This is important because a country’s long term success and continued development depends on the government’s ability to look ahead and make sound decisions to overcome challenges that may affect the country’s development and progress.

It is also important because the citizens by staying relevant through skills upgrading will be able to contribute to sustaining the country’s development and progress in the face of new economic competitors.

3. Meritocracy“Reward for Work, Work for Reward”

• People are rewarded for their hard work and talent and not on race, religion or social background

• ‘RWWR’ is an important principle of governance because when people are rewarded based on their abilities and hard work, they are encouraged to do well.

• Eg. hardworking students who excel in their studies and co-curricular activities receive rewards in the form of Edusave Scholarships and Merit Bursaries.

• All Singaporeans also received a share of the surplus from Singapore’s growth through the Progress Package.

• [1] Education• Hardworking students who excel in their studies

and co-curricular activities receive rewards in the form of Edusave Scholarships and Merit Bursaries.

• Educational institutions in Singapore are open to all, regardless of race or religion. Qualifications are based on Merit and talent

• [2] “Grow and Share” Package• All Singaporeans also received a share of the

surplus from Singapore’s growth through the “grow and share” Package (2011).

• This is important because when citizens of the country have an equal chance to succeed regardless of the race, religion or socio-economic background, it encourages them to trust and support the government, and work hard to contribute to the country’s development

• Singapore’s only resource is human resource. This principle ensures that there will always be talent to help Singapore develop.

Meritocracy helps ensure stability and harmony in a multi-ethnic Singapore which would boost investments into the country

4. “Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All”

• It is about Consulting the people and involving them in the decision- making process

• ‘A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All’ is an important principle of governance because it allows Singaporeans to develop a sense of belonging towards Singapore when they participate in the decision-making process of the country.

• For example, the government consulted the public on the issue of having casinos as part of the IRs.

• The government set up the Feedback Unit to gather feedback on public issues and government policies and proposals eg feedback on the IR

• This helps to develop a sense of belonging and rootedness in the citizens.

• It helps people feel they are valued for their part in decision-making and this helps build social cohesion and promote stability

Singapore would be better able to retain its own talent which is important for the development and progress of the country.

Guiding Question:Has our government been successful in meeting

the needs of Singapore?

Reasons for Population growth

1. Declining birth Rate (1980s onwards)

2. Economic reasons

3. Ageing population

4. Defence

Measures taken for Population growth

1. Graduate Mothers Scheme

2. Three or more if you can afford it

3. Attracting foreign talent