Principles of Governance

Governance in Singapore

What does a government do?

Ensures stability

in the

government

Meets people’s needs

Builds a nation

Maintains

sovereignty

The roles of the Singapore government

Why is having a good government important?(hint: link to Chapter 3)

PoliticalEconomic

Social

Government

The Three

Gears

• Governance is the way a government manages the resources of the country so as to carry out its functions.

What is governance?

The ability to: come up with

good and sound policies and implement the policies effectively

manage the resources of the country well in order to achieve economic and social development

GOOD governance?

How does the government work?

Government of Singapore

Legislature

Executive Judiciary

Government of Singapore

Legislature

Consists of the President and Members of

the ParliamentMakes the laws of the country

Executive Judiciary

Government of Singapore

Legislature

Consists of the President and Members

of the ParliamentMakes the laws of the

country

Executive

Consists of the President and the Cabinet (PM and various Ministers)

Executes laws made by the Parliament

Administers government policies

through the ministries and civil

service

Judiciary

Government of Singapore

Legislature

Consists of the

President and

Members of the

ParliamentMakes the laws of the country

Executive

Consists of the President and the Cabinet (PM and

various Ministers)Executes laws made by the ParliamentAdministers government

policies through the ministries and

civil service

Judiciary

Consists of judges and law courts

Ensures that the laws are justly

carried outEnsures that laws

passed do not breach the

Constitution

Principles of Governance

Leadership is Key

Anticipate Change and

Stay RelevantReward for Work and

Work for Reward A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

How Singapore turned improbable into reality

Read the newspaper article.Discuss the answers in groups

of 4.Write down your answers.

How do the principles of governance lead to Singapore’s progress?

Principles of governance

Singapore’s progress

Leadership

is Key

Principle 1:

What makes a good leader?

What makes a good leader?

• A good character• Honest and

capable• Moral courage• Integrity to do

what is right and not what is popular

• Practical decision making

• Need to be groomed

E.g. 2: Since 1980s, government introduced policies to control private car ownership and charging motorists for road usage.

Many Singaporeans were unhappy because it was harder to own cars, but as a result of the policies, Singapore does not suffer from traffic congestion all the time.

Decisions are practical, not popular

Mr Liu Thai Ker, former chairman of the National Arts

Council (NAC)

• Vision of Singapore as a distinctive global city for the arts has driven the development of the arts in Singapore

• Council opened up more opportunities for development of local talents through international collaborations and co-productions 

What is the message of this source?

Anticipate Change & Stay Relevant

Principle 2:

The need to be forward-looking.

Implementing policies for future needs.

NEWater• Anticipated that

Singapore may have difficulties renewing its water agreements with Malaysia which end in 2011 and 2016

• Found alternative sources: NEWater & desalinated water

NEWater• Ensures that

Singapore is self-sufficient

• Ensures that Singapore’s future water needs are met

Integrated Resorts

• Tourism is important to Singapore’s economy• Intense competition from

neighbouring countries

Need to improve tourist industry to capture growing market!

Integrated Resorts

• Decision to build 2 Integrated Resorts–Marina Bay–Sentosa

• World-class destinations to attract more tourists and offer a unique attraction to the rest of the world

• Creates more employment

Integrated Resorts

• Latest data from Singapore Tourism Board (STB)

tourism receipts from January to December 2010 were estimated to reach S$18.8 billion

STB attributed a significant proportion of the high growth of 49% in tourism receipts to the opening of the Integrated Resorts last year

‘Reward for Work & Work for Reward’

• A system that rewards hard work and talent

• Encourages people to do well

• Everybody in the society an equal opportunity to achieve their best regardless of background

Principle 3:Meritocracy

‘Reward for Work & Work for Reward’

• Students who perform well are rewarded–Edusave

Scholarship (top 10%)–Merit Bursary

schemes (top 25%)

Principle 3:

Example: Education

• Recognize the contributions of NS men

• Help lower income households with living expenses

• Reward low-wage workers for work• Share earnings with all Singaporeans

Sharing the surplus from Singapore’s growth as a reward for their hard work

‘A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All’

Principle 4:

‘A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All’

• Having a say in decision-making greater sense of belonging to the country

• Brings about a committed workforce, integrated society and political stability

Example: Feedback on Casino as part of IR

• Government consulted people on this issue

• People voiced opinions and feedback about social repercussions

• National framework and social safeguards put into place

Principles of Governance

Factor Leadership is Key Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

Reward for Work and Work for Reward

A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

Explain

What does it mean?

Example

Good leadership is important to maintain ____________ in the government and make the right decisions for the country. Good leaders must have ______ courage and the __________ to do what is right. Leaders must be trained and groomed, and must have good ___________.

For example, Mr Liu Thai Ker, the former chairman of the National Arts Council…____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The decisions made by the government need to be _________-looking. It means that the government needs to adapt and change in anticipation of ________ challenges. It has to be ______ to new ideas and willing to take _______.

For example, NeWater/ Integrated Resorts__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________ is the key part of this principle. It means _________________ _________________________________________________.When they are duly rewarded, they will be ________________________.

For example, students who perform well in their studies and CCA are rewarded. The Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary schemes _______________ ___________________________________________________________________________

Having a ______ in ________- __________ develops in people a greater __________ _________________ to the country.

For example, in 2004, the government consulted the people on the issue of having a casino as part of the Integrated Resort.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: _____________________________________ ( ) Class: __________________

Social Studies, Sec 3 Exp/N, Chapter 2

To what extent is “Reward for Work and Work for Reward” the most important principle to promote Singapore’s progress? Explain your answer.

Factor Leadership is Key Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

Reward for Work and Work for Reward

A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

Link

Why is this important in promoting Singapore’s progress

Meritocracy

The talented are being _______________________

Encourages their _________ contribution to the progress

__________ and _____________ workforce

Progress of the nation

Therefore, meritocracy ensures that the talented in Singapore are recognized and nurtured, and in doing so, encourages their best contribution to the progress and growth of the nation. In this way, a committed and competent workforce drives the progress of the country.

Everyone’s voice is heard

Sense of belonging to the country

Willing to contribute their best + work with everyone else

United workforce

Economy is strengthened

Progress of the nation

Therefore, when Singaporeans feel belonged to the country, they will be willing to contribute their best to the progress of the nation. They will also be motivated to work harmoniously with one another towards a common goal for the nation. In this way, the economy will be strengthened through the efforts of a united workforce. Then there will be progress for Singapore.

Social Studies, Sec 3 Exp/N, Chapter 2