Hope — The Currency of Politics

It was once said that Hope is the Currency of Politics, and if that is indeed true, the winds of change that have swept through our northern neighbour, and that may yet bring forth the first black US president, will by some divine intervention bring about a benign revolution on these shores. Logically though, indications are that such an event would not occur even in the distant future, chiefly because this island’s inhabitants have somehow abandoned this Hope for the distractions of material trappings (so sweetly dangled by the powers-that-be).

An SoS Appeal to The Handover Generation aka Post 65′ers

Dear Handover Generation/Gen X’ers/Post 65’ers (those born between 1965-1985),

How quickly time files… it wasn’t too long ago that we were heralded as the new generation of leaders who would guide the world away from the baby-boomers’ cry of want, spend and waste, and propel it towards a post-consumerist future. Before sharing how I think we have done thus far, let’s acknowledge the massive impact the boomers have made on economics, politics, and society, both locally and on a global scale.

Schools in Singapore were never nearly as organised or structured before World War Two. Yet the end of the War signalled the beginning of an urgent need to provide the island’s inhabitants with the necessary skill-sets to fuel Singapore’s fledgling economy. The establishment saw it fit to streamline the existing education system (chaotic though it was in those days), and English became the default medium of instruction. Having met the boomers’ hunger for jobs, the establishment next had to manage their insatiable appetite to spend their new-found wealth. This they did with relative ease, through the leasing of apartments, in the name of the public good. Our parents soon realised that most of what they earned would go to ‘ownership of property’ as it were, and refrained from over-celebrating their achievements in the workplace. In this aspect they were unlike their peers in countries such as the Thus organised, society metamorphosised at an unprecedented rate; gone were the times of unsuspecting neighbourliness in placid rural-life, and a new sense of languid weariness pervaded the ever-increasing number of towering brick and mortar structures.

Riding on The Titanic aka The Uncomfortable Status Quo in Singapore (Part I)

This is Part I of a series that has been inspired by my view of the socio-political space in Singapore in the setting of the epic Titanic. Let me state upfront that while the series is based loosely on real events and real people, it is to be read as a fictional story. Additionally, I would categorically state here that I am neither of the characters, nor do I personally know of any person who resembles any of the characters described in the series.

“All aboard!” booms the Captain. His voice carries a dignified authority that commands obedience and respect. The sea breeze hastens the spread of the message, so much so that not only his men, but also the fare-paying passengers pause in the midst of their bustle to heed his call. Ten thousand people make their way to the hulking metallic mass that probably should be more appropriately termed an aircraft carrier rather than a mere cruise ship. It is the largest of its kind, the Titanic. “Take your places everyone, there is more than enough room, so make yourselves comfortable,” exudes the usher with more than the average amount of charm.

“Sarah, do you know where we’re headed?” Sam, a strapping fine lad of twenty-five, asks his lady companion. “Oh, I don’t know exactly, but it’s somewhere near the North Pole. Not to worry darling, Daddy’s the Captain, he knows, and he’ll take us there for sure! Look at the beautiful view, quick, get your digital camera!” And so the Titanic launches from the port, negotiating her way successfully past the rather narrow straits. It gathers speed as it approaches open waters. Sam looks out into the great unknown, and feels an inexplicable sense of dread, even foreboding.

“Are you alright darling?” asks Sarah in a sing-song tone, as she places her arms round his waist. Sam nods, not wanting to upset his young fiancée. He can’t seem to put his finger on what is bothering him; after all, here he is in the prime of his life, enjoying the company of the beauty that he had fought off so many suitors for. Soon however, Sam shrugs the feeling off as nerves, forces a smile, and begins to relax, little by little.

Singapore, ‘The Island’ Nation

Special thanks to Dansong for inspiring this reflection on my beloved island-nation that is Singapore.

If you will indulge me, picture yourself in an enormous underground shelter, being bombarded by subliminal messages such as “You are specially chosen… The world out there is uninhabitable and lifeless… You are safe here… Your job is to wait for the chance to go to The Island, where you will be free from all the radiation outside these walls…” etc.

And so you go about your life, alongside others who look somewhat similar to you, but you can’t really place your finger on it, working on something that has been defined as “a job”, but its true significance is lost on you, because “it is pointless to ask questions”, “people are watching”, “it’s really hectic here”, “just wait, I’ll be the next one to win the (Island) lottery”…

Conflict Theory in Practice — Political Scene in Singapore

When one powerful force arises, another will emerge. We see that all over the world, whether it is US invading Iraq, or Pakistani authorities clamping down on ‘Islamic militants’. In light of these global events, our leaders have been, in various forms and guises, attempting to stave off the irrepressible forces that surround us, and provide us with a semblence of order that is nothing like the rest of the world can provide. Indeed it can be argued that their efforts have been relatively successful. Let’s give the Singapore ‘system’ due credit: it has served us relatively well, so far. So whither this conflict on our local shores?

Consumers vs Citizens

I’ve had a fruitful discussion with Wayne on whether Singaporeans are moving away from being a consumer i.e. “what’s in it for me?” towards citizenship i.e. “what can I do to make a positive difference towards nation building?” The general consensus is quite simply no, and even if there are movements, these are rather gradual in nature.

To further elaborate on the consumer viewpoint, here are 3 ‘rules’ that are generally adhered to by those who subscribe to this view:-

1) What can teachers/my town council people/politicians do for me?
Indeed the notion of “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” seems to be increasingly alien to Singaporeans (yes I recognise that this is an American term, but that’s really beside the point). Who indeed should take responsibility for this entitlement mentality? Now that’s another story for another time altogether.