singapore government
Describe the main principles of good governance as articulated by Singapore leaders.
Singapore continues to rank high globally on indexes that measure good governance, especially in terms of investment and corruption (Economic Development Board, 2013). Within the region, according to Vriens & Partners’ Asia Pacific Investment Climate Index 2013, Singapore was ranked second among Asian Pacific countries, after New Zealand, for rule of law, political stability, corruption and taxation. She was ranked first in openness to international trade and businesses. Indeed, behind the rankings are principles of good governance, which her leaders use to guide policy-making, which has resulted in Singapore’s economic success despite her unique circumstances. Hence, the role of leadership in carrying out good governance is therefore, pivotal and fundamental, which will be explored further in this essay. Nonetheless, the importance of good governance is crucial in Singapore, where good governance is needed for the survival of a small country with no natural resources and a multi-racial society. Moreover, good governance is made even more complicated as Singapore is a Chinese-majority country surrounded by its larger Malay-majority neighbours, and increasing globalisation with Singapore’s open economy, has made it important to stay ahead of competition. In this essay, I will explore the main principles of good governance by Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong, and current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Fundamentally these principles are all good but reality is much more complicated, when these principles that guide policy-making result in policies that produce certain trade-offs in society. Even though leaders implement policies that can produce negative trade-offs, ultimately, the ability of leaders to keep revising policies, to intervene in ensuring an inclusive society and to recognise the mistakes made and correct them is also part of good
Singapore continues to rank high globally on indexes that measure good governance, especially in terms of investment and corruption (Economic Development Board, 2013). Within the region, according to Vriens & Partners’ Asia Pacific Investment Climate Index 2013, Singapore was ranked second among Asian Pacific countries, after New Zealand, for rule of law, political stability, corruption and taxation. She was ranked first in openness to international trade and businesses. Indeed, behind the rankings are principles of good governance, which her leaders use to guide policy-making, which has resulted in Singapore’s economic success despite her unique circumstances. Hence, the role of leadership in carrying out good governance is therefore, pivotal and fundamental, which will be explored further in this essay. Nonetheless, the importance of good governance is crucial in Singapore, where good governance is needed for the survival of a small country with no natural resources and a multi-racial society. Moreover, good governance is made even more complicated as Singapore is a Chinese-majority country surrounded by its larger Malay-majority neighbours, and increasing globalisation with Singapore’s open economy, has made it important to stay ahead of competition. In this essay, I will explore the main principles of good governance by Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong, and current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Fundamentally these principles are all good but reality is much more complicated, when these principles that guide policy-making result in policies that produce certain trade-offs in society. Even though leaders implement policies that can produce negative trade-offs, ultimately, the ability of leaders to keep revising policies, to intervene in ensuring an inclusive society and to recognise the mistakes made and correct them is also part of good