Civil Society And The State In Singapore
Civil Society And The State In Singapore

Author: Carol Soon

Publisher: World Scientific

Published: 2017-01-05

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 1786342480

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Set within the context of growing political pluralism and the increasing use of new communication technologies for social mobilisation, the Institute of Policy Studies organised a national conference on civil society in November 2013. This collection of the essays that were presented at or inspired by the conference provides nuanced analyses of the development of the sector in Singapore since the Institute's first such conference held in 1998. The first section of the book discusses the different philosophies and approaches that underpin how civic activists engage with the State; the second section examines some key forces of change that are re-shaping the sector; and, the third section sets out some emerging issues facing it. Combining insights from experts and civic activists themselves, this book proposes an agenda for the future development of the civil society in Singapore.

The Politics of Nation Building and Citizenship in Singapore
The Politics of Nation Building and Citizenship in Singapore

Author: Michael Hill

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-06-17

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1134856008

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Since independence in 1965 Singapore has strengthened its own national identity through a conscious process of nation-building and promoting the active role of the citizen within society. Singapore is a state that has firmly rejected welfarism but whose political leaders have maintained that collective values, instead of those of autonomous individuals, are essential to its very survival. The book begins by examining basic concepts of citizenship, nationality and the state in the context of Singapore's arrival at independence. The theme of nation-building is explored and how the creation of a national identity, through building new institutions, has been a central feature of political and social life in Singapore. Of great importance has been education, and a system of multilingual education that is part of a broader government strategy of multiculturalism and multiracialism; both have served the purpose of building a new national identity. Other areas covered by the authors include family planning, housing policy, the creation of parapolitical structures and the imporatnce of shared `Asian values' amongst Singapore's citizens.

Civil Society in Southeast Asia
Civil Society in Southeast Asia

Author: Garry Rodan

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2022-10-20

Total Pages: 157

ISBN-13: 1108619886

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Contrary to popular claims, civil society is not generally shrinking in Southeast Asia. It is transforming, resulting in important shifts in the influences that can be exerted through it. Political and ideological differences in Southeast Asia have sharpened as anti-democratic and anti-liberal social forces compete with democratic and liberal elements in civil society. These are neither contests between civil and uncivil society nor a tussle between civil society and state power. They are power struggles over relationships between civil society and the state. Explaining these struggles, the approach in this Element emphasises the historical and political economy foundations shaping conflicts, interests and coalitions that mobilise through civil society. Different ways that capitalism is organised, controlled, and developed are shown to matter for when, how and in what direction conflicts in civil society emerge and coalitions form. This argument is demonstrated through comparisons of Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

State-society Relations in Singapore
State-society Relations in Singapore

Author: Gillian Koh

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13:

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This book is a collection of essays first presented by leaders from the state, market, and civic sectors at a national dialogue on civil society in Singapore, organized by the Institute of Policy Studies, in May 1998. It is set in the context of current thinking on development and governance, where there has been a paradigm shift from viewing state and civil society as a zero-sum, adversarial relationship to viewing it as having the potential for synergies. It records an initial response to this new notion across the sectors represented. In effect, it also reflects the current condition of state-society relations some years since the People's Action Party government indicated it welcomed a greater role for civil society.

Aware Saga
Aware Saga

Author: Terence Chong

Publisher: Flipside Digital Content Company Inc.

Published: 2013-07-15

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 9971697092

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In March 2009, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) was briefly taken over by a Christian faction. Their coup was overturned within a matter of weeks, but the episode highlighted a variety of issues, including the role of religion in civil society, sex education, homosexuality, state intervention and media engagement. Although the immediate issue was control of an activist group concerned with women's rights, it has implications for the agendas and concerns of NGOs, 'culture wars', the processes of citizenry mobilization, mass participation and noisy democracy, and liberal voices in contemporary Singapore.In this book, academics and public intellectuals examine the AWARE saga within the context of Singapore's civil society, considering the political and historical background and how the issues it raised relate to contemporary societal trends. In addition to documenting a milestone event for Singapore's civil society, the authors offer provocative interpretations that will interest a broad range of readers.

Civil Society in Southeast Asia
Civil Society in Southeast Asia

Author: Lee Hock Guan

Publisher: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9789812302588

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What is the relevance of civil society to people empowerment, effective governance, and deepening democracy? This book addresses this question by examining the activities and public participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the areas of religion, ethnicity, gender and the environment. Examples are taken from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. State regimes' attempts to co-opt the concept or reject it as alien to "Asian values" have apparently not turned out as expected. This is evident from the fact that many Southeast Asian citizens are inspired by the civil society concept and now engage in public discourse and participation. The experience of civil society in Southeast Asia shows that its impact -- or lack of impact -- on democratization and democracy depends on a variety of factors not only within civil society itself, but also within the state.

Securitising Singapore
Securitising Singapore

Author: Syed Mohammed Ad'ha Aljunied

Publisher:

Published: 2019-07-31

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 9780367262174

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Aljunied examines how the Singaporean government developed a comprehensive state-society strategic relationship by 'securitising' vital policy areas due to Singapore's vulnerability as a global city-state. In the 21st Century, the Singaporean government has strategically renewed an existing form of authoritarian rule by 'militarising' national security governance. The overall effect is to widen and deepen state power. Senior military-trained civilian political leaders and bureaucrats use military personnel, command and control, terminology and strategy of war to deal with non-traditional security challenges leading to the state's further domination over civil liberty and civil society. Aljunied analyses the information and communication, health, and climate-environment sectors. The case studies highlight the way the Singaporean government has used varying forms of political engagement, surveillance, and legislation to limit civil liberty and inhibit the development of civil society. A valuable resource for researchers and students of Singapore Studies as well as for Security Studies readers with an interest in the Global-Local nexus in a small state context. This book is a pioneering scholarly effort on the national security framework and the use of non-traditional security discourse to strengthen state power and social stability at the expense of political liberalism. opment of civil society. A valuable resource for researchers and students of Singapore Studies as well as for Security Studies readers with an interest in the Global-Local nexus in a small state context. This book is a pioneering scholarly effort on the national security framework and the use of non-traditional security discourse to strengthen state power and social stability at the expense of political liberalism.