Chpt 5 Notes Sec 3

Chapter 5 Challenges facing a multi-ethnic state

Bonding Singapore

Issue 1: What are the challenges of/threats to a multi-ethnic state and why are these challenges/threats?

Question analysis:

Q1. “Managing how different races perceive one another is the greatest challenge a multi-ethnic state faces.” How far do you agree? Explain.

Q2. “Managing the negative perceptions of one race against another is the greatest threat a multi-ethnic state faces.” How far do you agree? Explain.

Factor 1: It is difficult [challenging] to manage how different races feel [Think of one another] towards one another à This becomes a threat to peace when these perceptions are negative. Factor 1: Why is it difficult to manage how different races feel towards one another? 1.                  Multi-ethnic states à easy for misperceptions and misunderstandings to arise between different races à race is a sensitive matter à race tells us about who we are à if a race feels that it is threatened or insulted by another community, it will become defensive à this is a challenge to manage as it can turn one community against another à a perceived insult to one’s race is an insult to one’s family and self as well, including one’s ancestors and descendants. (Difficult to correct the perception once a person feels his/her race has been treated poorly à once the sense that one’s race has been insulted, it is hard to dismiss or remove the feel of unhappiness.) Note well: One’s race cannot be changed à it is a permanent part of one’s identity. 2.                  Different races have cultural differences à Races can misunderstand the intentions of another race à this can lead to tension. 3.                  Misperceptions that one race is ill-treated/discriminated by another can create suspicion and unhappiness between the races à Spark violence and hatred. 4.                  For example: In the 1960s, PAP’s resettlement of the housing areas affected all races but Malays believed it was targeting them à Mistrust and hostility between the Malays and Chinese arose. 5.                  Hence, how one race perceives its treatment by another can affect the relationship and affect social cohesion à Hence, this is why the management of the perception between races in a multi-ethnic state is challenging.
Factor 2: Why is it difficult to manage how different religions feel towards one another? 1.                  Multi-ethnic states à multiple religions à easy for misperceptions and misunderstandings to arise between different religions -- Religion is sensitive as it is sacred [Holy] to its believers.[ Religion tells of a community’s belief in a superior being and about issues like the afterlife à highly sensitive]  It is difficult for the government to manage these sensitivities once a religion feels that it has been insulted by another community or by the government. 2.                  Some religions feel that their welfare is not looked after by the government. Hence it is challenging for the government to make sure that all religions feel cared for. 3.                  If an insult to a religion is perceived OR a religion feels that it is under threat à create hostility[ Root word: Hostile àaggressive]  between the religion and other communities or the government à Tension will increase. 4.                  For example in 1950s Singapore: Maria Hertogh riots, Singapore Muslims believed that the British Government had disregarded Muslim feelings and that the British sided with Maria’s Dutch parents in giving custody of Maria to them. Muslims believed that the British were anti-Muslim and so rioting and violence occurred.
Factor 3: Why are external forces a challenge to a multi-ethnic state? 1.                  Transnational Terrorism is the external threat to multi-ethnic states. 2.                  Transnational terrorism is hard to manage as it comes from outside of the country and can influence the members of the same religion via the internet which is hard to control ( 1st reason why it is a Challenge) 3.                  Transnational Terrorists can misuse religion to influence those of the same religion by twisting religious facts. 4.                  Terrorist acts can divide the people à Social cohesion can be damaged if citizens in a multi-ethnic state view all the members of that particular community from which the Transnational Terrorists come from as also being terrorists by association. The government cannot fully control such wrong perceptions. ( 2nd reason why it is a Challenge) 5.                  For example in Singapore, 43 Malay Muslim Singaporeans were arrested in connection with the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group à planned to bomb parts of Singapore. ( The challenge is in making the other community groups feel safe in the presence of Malay Muslims and that 43 deviant individuals should not be considered to be indicative that the entire Muslim community is deviant) 6.                  Other races and religions in Singapore may become distrustful of the Malay-Muslim community and this can negatively affect Singapore’s national unity.
Weighing paragraph: Greatest challenge à the factor that cannot be controlled easily by the Singapore government = influence of external forces [Internet cannot be controlled easily and terrorist groups can continue to use it to twist religious teachings in their favour]

Issue 2: How can the challenge of a multi-ethnic state be managed? What is the best method to manage a multi-ethnic state?

Key question:

“The best way to manage a multi-ethnic state in Singapore is through safeguarding minority rights(Gf).” How far would you agree? Explain.

Factors	Notes
Factor 1: Build a National Identity Sub-factor A: Multi-racialism policy [Treating all races and religions equally and fairly] - Equality among races - No special rights for any race or religion à disallowed by law àEqual opportunities to succeed  - [Outcome] àEveryone feels valued by nation & Nobody feels discriminated - [Outcome] à No single race or religion has special rights  No feeling of hatred against the race or religion by other communities for having special rights. [Outcome of the outcome] People feel united = More cohesive as a nation	Building/Build = Developing/develop National Identity = Sense of belonging to nation(Singapore)
Sub-factor B: Common Practices -          Things Singaporeans carry out/do together. E.g. Sing the National Anthem, Take the Pledge, attend flag raising, celebrate National Day  [ Only Singaporeans are allowed to do these common practices] -          Develop patriotism [Love for one’s country] in citizens à common practices can only be carried out by citizens of the country and so this increases the sense of belonging to the nation. -          Feel united as one country = More cohesive as a nation
Sub-factor C: Bilingualism policy -          1966 -          Learn both English(EL) and Mother Tongue(MT) -          MT to transmit values and keep roots -          EL is a common language to allow races to communicate à Greater understanding/unity amongst the races à Sense of closeness and friendship= greater cohesion -          EL not native/neutral language [Not a language that belongs to a particular race] to any race à No race has an advantage over the other races à no sense of discrimination  There is a sense of cohesion.
Factor 2: Safeguarding = protect the interests of the minority groups. Sub factor A: Minority representation policy [ policy = government decision] -          Gives minorities a say in government + feel concerns are voiced and heard. -          Less likely to be feel marginalised[discriminated] à Remain loyal to nation à Greater unit Example 1: Presidential Council of Minority Rights  Made up of people from minorities Ensures no race or religion is disadvantaged by new laws passed in parliament.[ any new law must be first approved by the PCMR that the law does not discriminate against any race of religion]   Minorities will know their rights are protected à Hence Minorities will not be harmed or discriminated against by any laws created à Minorities will not feel any ill-will against the majority à harmony between the races/religions is guaranteed. Example 2: Group  Representation Constituency (GRC) At least one candidate in each GRC contesting in General Election must be from a minority GRC ensures/Guarantees minorities are represented in government à since all political parties are required to have at least 1 minority candidate in their GRC slate of candidates during General Elections. Minorities do not feel left out à Minorities will feel wanted [Minorities are represented in government decisions making] and thus there is à Minorities feel they have a stake  in Singapore à unity.
Sub factor B: Self-help groups[ by race] -          Help less fortunate in own communities [by race] financially and in education. Example: SINDA, CDAC and MENDAKI -          Helps Singaporeans cope and compete with one another on an equal footing -          Financial aid to needy families -          Education via Joint Tuition programme à helped pupils to improve academically Young people from the different races will not feel left behind à [The rich-poor gap in the country is kept small à if the gap is wide, there will be jealousy and anger directed at the better of citizens in the country à leads to potential instability e.g. civil wars and disorder àwhen the poorer Singaporeans are assisted, they move up the economic ladder à less likely for unhappiness to grow since the number of poor in Singapore is minimised àSingaporeans will feel a greater sense of unity in Singapore as everyone is doing well. All races improve together and no races are left behind since the poor in every race is helped in levelling up.
Sub factor A: Events and programmes organised by grassroots organisations ( Residents’ Committees and Citizen Consultative committees CCCs) -          Grassroots organisations e.g. People’s Association  Organise wide range of programmes for Singaporeans of all races and backgrounds. = community centre events. E.g. Dancing class, yoga, cooking etc. -          Platform for different races to mingle -          Develop understanding of each other’s cultures -          Mutual respect à trust -          Strong friendships can develop = Harmony between races Example: Home stay opportunity between people of different races and religions à helps people of different races appreciate each other’s lifestyle and cultural differences = greater harmony and unity in Singapore.
Sub factor B: Opportunities offered by educational institutions (schools) -          Government schools open to all races and religions -          Pupils of different races interact in school à Develop teamwork, understanding and appreciation of other races à promote close bonds [ Friendships formed can last for life àimproves inter-racial harmony even in adulthood] -          Opportunity for friendship and mutual respect to be cultivated between different races. -          Pupils grow up knowing friends from other races. -          Social bonds are fostered = greater cohesion between the races in Singapore.[From young]
Sub factor C: Common living space provided by the public housing -          1989, ethnic(racial) integration(Combination) programme -          Limits the proportion of races in a block of flats. -          Prevents certain housing estates to become ethnic enclaves = areas where only 1 race lives.   -          Ensure opportunities for people from different ethnic groups to interact -          Races will develop better understanding of each other by living side by side = greater harmony and unity in Singapore
Sub factor D: Activities conducted by inter-racial confidence circles (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs) ( Circle = grouping) -          IRCCs organise visits to places of worship e.g Churches. -          Gives opportunities for Singaporeans to appreciate different races and religions -          Develop strong bonds and respect -          HCs organise bonding activities to build confidence and friendship among people of different races at work(at the workplaces) = greater national unity
Sub factor E: Shared experience through National Service -          All able-bodied Singaporeans men of all races serve in defence of nation (Common goal) -          Common goal à bonds everyone   -          Develops loyalty to the nation à enduring friendships amongst the men from different racesà greater national unity.
Factor 3: Developing common space - Creating platform for people come together - Common space = opportunities and places for people of different races and religions to interact - Outcome = Understanding amongst the different races/religions is deepened.

NB: For this topic, the given factor could be a sub-factor!

Weighing paragraph: Weighing will be based on the is the most fundamental factor which cannot be done without =developing national identity via multi-racialism

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Issue 3: Why is it important to manage diversity? Which is the more critical reason for managing ethnic diversity in multi-ethnic states? Page 154 and 155 in TB Sec 3

Using Special Topics essay for bonding Singapore:

Possible questions:

Q1. The most important reason why ethnic diversity should be managed is because of economic progress rather than maintaining security and peace. Explain you answer.

Q2. The most important reason why ethnic diversity should be managed well in Singapore is political rather than social or economic. Explain.

NB: The political factor would be the relationship between the government and its people and between government and government. [ Fractured relationship]

The social factor is regarding the relationship between the different races/religions/communities.

The economic factor is about the standard of living, employment/unemployment, tourist arrivals and the investment by businesses in the country.

Outcome because of harmony OR absence of conflict between communities	Which is more important?
Security and peace -          Harmony -          People feel safe -          No inter-racial violence. -          Respect for each other’s race and religion -          Peace means families can grow up safely	What is more important is the presence of security and peace because only when there is stability will there be economic progress. When there is chaos, there will not be any investors who are interested in coming to the country to invest and so having harmony and peace will ensure that investors feel confident that going forward their will not be social chaos which can lead to civil war and the end of economic progress.
Economic Progress -          Peace and stability -          Economic progress -          Foreign investors -          Set up companies in Singapore -          Investments protected -          Businesses generate jobs -          Jobs = income -          Increased expenditure = more business for companies -          Economy progresses -          Tourism industry improves -          Tourists prefer peaceful nations -          No war, no terrorism -          More tourist = more business for companies = more jobs = standard of living improves.