Singapore As A Nation In The World

New nations face political, social and economic challeges to survive and progress in the international community. They need to stay alert and nimble in responding to these challenges. Singapore tries to overcome through the leadership and common will of its people and by working with other nations.

Book 3 Chapter 1:

Singapore -A Nation In The World

How do nations come into being and what challenges do they face? What is a nation? What kind of challeges do new nations such Singapore face? In studying this as part of this chapter, you will get to know more about national identity, importance of stable government, need for social cohesion, emphasis on economics development, as well as efforts at defence and seurity, and importance of diplomacy.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain the concept of nationhood
• Discuss challenges faced by new nations
• Understand the unique chellenges Singapore faced as a newly-independent nation

Understanding Governance

Good governance determines the viability, development and progress of nations. Guided by a set of principles, policies are formulated and implemented to meet the needs of the people and nation. Understanding governance enables us to be aware of the complexities of decision-making in a society and world that faces rapid change.

Book 3 Chapter 2:

Governance In Singapore

Why is governance is important? This chapter dicusses the formulation and implementation of policy process through the use of the transport policy as an example to examine the principles of governance. We will also be looking at the case study of Singapore's population policies to examine policy changes over time. While reviewing the population policies from 1970s to the 21st century, we will also look at the challenges of and responses to ageing population and declining birth rate.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Understand the significance of government structure
• Recognize the importance of principles of governance policy formulation and implementation
• Evaluate the role of communication channels in policy-making
• Recognize that policies changes to meet changing needs of society and nation

Book 3 Chapter 3:

Managing Healthcare - Case Studies If Singapore and Britain

Governance can be studied through a comparative study as well. Sometimes two countries might have similar problems. However, they might need to adopt different approaches as each country is unique and different from another. This chapter makes a comparative study of the public healthcare policies in Singapore and the United Kingdom. In doing so, we understand how the policies work in two countries and the impact of the policies on society and nation.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Recognize that different governments adopt different approaches to solve similar problems
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the policies in meeting te health care needs of the people and the nation.

Conflict And Harmony In Multi-Ethnic Societies

Different ethnic, religious and cultural groups contribute to the diversity and the richness of multi-ethnic societies. However, it is important to be vigilant against the forces of divisiveness that cause conflict and disintergration of societies. Common bonds should be strengthened to unite the people as a nation.

Book 3 Chapter 4:

Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies - Sri Lanka and the Northern Ireland

Discord and disunity cause much disruption to the progress of a country. In this chapter, such issues are discussed through the case studies of Sri Lanka and the Northern Ireland. We get to take a look at the causes of the conflict among ethnic and religious groups and the manifestationof differences into conflicts are disruption to political, social and economic ddevelopment. What are some efforts at resolving these conflicts in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland? This chapter explores the possibilities for peace in these countries as well.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain why conflicts exist among different ethnic and religious groups
• Analyzenthe political, economic and social impact of ethnic and religious conflicts on the people and nation
• Value the need for non-violence approache like negotiation, mediation and cooperation in resolving conflicts

Book 3 Chapter 5:

Bonding Singapore

Importance of social cohesion and harmony is revisited through the case study of Singapore in this chapter. We discuss the internal and external threats Singapore faces such as race riots and terrorism. We also discuss how Singapore, amulti-ethnic society manages ethic diversity. Some challenges facing Singapore which we discuss addressing the needs of the different ethnic groups e.g. policy of minority representation, and integrating the ethnic groups in society e.g. forging natioanl identity, developing common space. Finally, we also study the benefits of a harmonious multi-ethnic society.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain the internal and external threats to Singapore's harmony
• Recognize the need for ethnic and religious sensitivities ad tolerence
• Explain how social cohesion and racial and religious harmony can be achieved in a multi-ethnic society
• Appreciate living in a multi-ethnic society

Managing International Relations

Conflicts among nation exist as countries strive ti safeguard their national interests. When deterrent and diplomatic measures fail to resolve conflicts, war can result. World and regional organisations like the United Nations pplay a crucialroles in resolving conflict among nations. World security is further complicated by new threats such as transitional terrorism which is a challenge to all nation in achieving peace and prosperity

Book 3 Chapter 6:

Managing Peace And Security: Deterrence And Diplomacy

How important is deterrence and diplomacy in maintaining international relation among nations? Why do conflicts exist among nations? What are some of the causes for international conflicts? This chapter starts with discussion of these questions before looking at how Singapore ensures its national security through its two-pronged approach of deterrence and diplomacy. THe study of deterrence discusses Total Defense strategy, professional nad citizens armed forces, defense industries, joint military exercise with other nations and multi-agency coordination on security. THe study of diplomacy discusses bilateral and nulti-lateral relations as well as membership in regional and international organizations such as ASEAN and the UN.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Understand why conflicts exist among nations
• Recognize the need for two-pronge approach of deterrence and diplomacy
• Explain the need to be self-reliant for Singapore's security
• Recognize the need for coordination among agencies to maintain a high level of vigilance
• Understand the role and relevance of regional and international organizations, particularly to small countries
• Recognize the importance of international cooperation

Book 4 Chapter 1:

Managing Peace and Security

How can conflict in one region affect the rest of the world? This chapter tries to sed light to this issue by looking at the case study of the Iraq-Kuwait conlict(1990-91). This chapter also dwells into the new threat to the world - Transitional Terrorism as well as its impact on the world and national security. The chaapter ends by looking at measures to deal with transitional terrorism.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Analyze cause of conflict
• Evaluate role of UN
• Evaluate impact of conflict on nations involved and the rest of the world
• Recognize terrorism as a growing challenge to world security
• Examine the measures undertaken to deal with transitional terrorism
• Understand the impact of terrorism on the world and national securty

Sustaining Economic Development

Globalisation of the world economy presents new challenges and opportunities to nations. Adopting proactive and effective strategies to remain economically competitive world economy.

Book 4 Chapter 2:

Sustaining Economic Development

How do nations sustain their economic development in a globalised world? What is globalisation and what are its challenges and opportunities? What happens to resources currently available? Will we have a scarcity of resources? As the world become interconnected, the national and world economies will be affected. There could also be competition for investment and markets as well as effects on employment and competition for talent. With the world being so preoccupied with being interconnectedness, what about the effects on the enviroment? What are the efforts made to balance economic development with enviromental management?
Singapore has also undertaken strategies for economics development in a globalised world. Amongst these methods include diversifying the economy, having twin engines of growth, venturing abroad, nuture growth of SMEs, expand market reach through economic cooperation as well as manging her resources.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Understand how scarce resources affect national and orld economies
• explain how globalisation creates opportunities and challenges for nations
• understand how enviromental management is necessary to ensure economic growth
• explain the need for diversification and establishment of niche industries to maintain competitive edge
• understand the importance of foreign ventures
• appreciate that not all ventures are successful
• recognize the role of SMEs in the economic cooperation with other countries
• evaluate the importanceof managing resources

Facing Challenges And Change

Nations that survive and succeed are those that are to face challenges and develop into viable entities. However, failure to respond to the changing global landscape over time may result in a nation fading into obscurity

Book 4 Chapter 3:

Venice

What can nations learn from the rise and fall of Venice as a city-state?

This chapter prepares you to:

• understand how Venice achieved prosperity
• eveluate the factors responsible for the decline and fall of Venice
• draw lessons that nations can learn from rise and decline of Venice