Colonial Period

Self-governing, Merge ?

Split with MalayaIndependence (1965)

The Context

From colonial: free-market &

administrative system Ideological: Confucianism (Orientalism)

PAP’s leftism Societal: Multi-racial

& potential tension Political: conflict

with Malaysia &

Indonesia

A multi-cultural society

Nation Building Project

A Long-term strategy to build the nation and to react to its fundamental nature.

Our community lacks in-built reflexes… our society and its education system was never designed to produce a people capable of cohesive action, identifyingtheir collective interests and then actingin furtherance of them ….The reflexes of group thinking must bebuilt to ensure the survival of the community, not the individual …. Lee Kuan-yew, 1966

In a similar manner….

We are a complex, multi-racialcommunity with little sense ofcommon history, with a group purpose which is yet to be properly articulated. We are in the process of rapid transition towards a destiny which we do not yet know….

Goh Keng SweeFinance Minister Minister of Interior and Defence1967,

Emphasis of the Project

Economic: free market-based capitalism Political: central planning, authoritarianism Ideology: national unity and collectivism

Welfare policy serving all three emphasis

Characteristics of Welfare Structure

High level of service provision regulated by state

Central planning Private Insurance Model

(you get what you contribute…..) Pro-family ideologies Promote national unity, social

stability, sense of belonging

Liberal Welfare State

Central Provident Fund

Contributory Scheme by Employer & Employees

From 1955 Funded for retirement initi

ally, but gradually extended to housing, medical, investment etc.

Accounts: Ordinary, Special, Medisave (MediShield)

Guarantee Interest Rate

Housing Development Board

Private ownership of public provided housing

Dominant control of housing supply

Established in 1960 Home ownership from

1964 Down payment &

mortgage paid by CPF saving

Social Welfare Services

Personal pathology approach Pro-family approach Minimal Public Assistance

Scheme Small Family Improvement

Improvement Scheme Community Development

Achievements

High home ownership rates High standard of services without too much

state investment Personal contributory retirement payment Social stability Created national solidarity

Current problems

the loopholes in CPF potential risks of home ownership weakening family ties political discontent potential social conflicts (ethnic, class)