2.5 Ideas shaping governance

1. The authority entrusted to the government by citizens allows it to make decisions for the good of society.
2. Besides processes, ideas and beliefs also shape decision-making.
3. When crafting policies, the government has to take into account the varying needs and interests of different groups in society since resources are limited.
4. Evaluating trade-offs, when done carefully and systematically, involves comparing the costs and benefits of each available alternative decisions.

Having good leadership

1. The government representatives or leaders must be honest and capable.
2. Given the complex nature of decision-making, leaders must have the moral courage and integrity to do what is right, including making decisions that may not be popular with the people.
3. Leaders who are incorruptible and of good moral character can win the confidence and respect of the people.
4. Incorruptible leaders will make decisions for the good of the country rather than for personal interests and dishonest leaders will be dealt with by the law.
5. This will ensure that leaders in power are working with the right intent, in the interest of society.

Anticipating change and staying relevant

1. When citizens’ needs and interests are adversely affected in the short term due to a decision based on more long term considerations, tensions may arise.
2. The government needs to manage these tensions and remain forward-looking and need to make decisions that will benefit Singaporeans in the future.

• Example of Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant: Integrated Resorts (IR)
  The government decided to build two IRs at Marina Bay and Sentosa in 2005. In making the decision to build the IR, the government tried to anticipate change and stay relevant, especially in seeking potential economic benefits, such as job opportunities and higher tourist spending. The government was also aware of the tensions and social consequences in terms of concerns about higher gambling rates and took measures to lessen the potential impact of problem gambling.

Providing a stake for everyone

1. Having a say in decision-making can develop a greater sense of belonging in citizens.
2. They will feel that they have a stake in Singapore’s future and be more willing to be involved in working towards the good of society.
3. More opportunities have been created to encourage Singaporeans to share their views about policies and decision-making.
4. Homeownership is another way to strengthen the sense of belonging.
5. The Public Housing Scheme (PHS) allows many Singaporeans to own their own homes through the provision of housing grants.

• Example of Providing a stake for everyone: Our Singapore Conversation
  Singaporeans share their views, hope and dreams about Singapore.

Practising meritocracy

1. Meritocracy refers to a system that distributes opportunities to enable future successes.
2. People are rewarded according to the effort they put in rather than factors such as their race, religion or socio-economic background.
3. When people are rewarded based on their abilities and effort, they are encouraged to work hard.
4. Students, for example, who perform well in their studies and CCAs are rewarded in ways to help them excel further in the education. The Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary schemes reward the top 10 percent and 25 percent of school students respectively.
5. In 2013, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong shared that meritocracy can create inequity as the groups of Singaporeans benefitting from meritocracy may become smaller over time. One example is how families who have done well for themselves due to meritocracy would be able to give a head start to their children.
6. He shared the need for Singaporeans to practise compassionate meritocracy because it will encourage citizens to contribute to society, particularly to those who may not have access to the same opportunities.
7. In 2014, DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam shared about the need to achieve meritocracy throughout our lives.
8. He encouraged Singaporeans not to view academic qualifications as the only achievement in life and instead to pursue lifelong learning and high-performance standards at every stage of their lives, regardless of where they graduated from or what they started with.
9. These shifts show principles can be modified to ensure that they remain relevant.