The Politics Of Nation Building And Citizenship In Singapore (politics In Asia)

Since independence in 1965 Singapore has strengthened its own national identity through a conscious process of nation-building and promoting the active role of the citizen within society. Singapore is a state that has firmly rejected welfarism but whose political leaders have maintained that collective values, instead of those of autonomous individuals, are essential to its very survival.The book begins by examining basic concepts of citizenship, nationality and the state in the context of Singapore's arrival at independence. The theme of nation-building is explored and how the creation of a national identity, through building new institutions, has been a central feature of political and social life in Singapore. Of great importance has been education, and a system of multilingual education that is part of a broader government strategy of multiculturalism and multiracialism; both have served the purpose of building a new national identity. Other areas covered by the authors include family planning, housing policy, the creation of parapolitical structures and the imporatnce of shared `Asian values' amongst Singapore's citizens. Examines Basic Concepts Of Citizenship, Nationality And The State In The Context Of Singapore's Independence. The Theme Of Nation-building Is Explored And How The Creation Of A National Identity, Through Building New Institutions, Has Been A Central Feature Of Life In Singapore. 1. The State, Citizenship And Nationality In Singapore -- 2. The Ethnic Origins Of Singapore -- 3. Education And Bilingualism -- 4. Multiracialism And The Structuring Of Ethnic Relations -- 5. Housing Policy In The Nation Building Process -- 6. Between The Family And The State -- 7. Parapolitical And Intermediary Structures -- 8. From The Ideology Of Pragmatism To Shared Values -- 9. Civil Society: The Current Project -- 10. Conclusion. Michael Hill And Lian Kwen Fee. Series Numbered Retrospectively. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 The state, citizenship and nationality in Singapore......Page 23 The ethnic origins of Singapore......Page 50 Education and bilingualism......Page 78 Multiracialism and the structuring of ethnic relations......Page 102 Housing policy in the nation building process......Page 124 Between the family and the state......Page 151 Parapolitical and intermediary structures......Page 170 From the ideology of pragmatism to shared values......Page 199 Civil society: the current project......Page 231 Conclusion......Page 253 Bibliography......Page 262 Index......Page 283 Since independence in 1965 Singapore has strengthened its own national identity through a conscious process of nation-building and promoting the active role of the citizen within society. Singapore is a state that has firmly rejected welfarism but whose political leaders have maintained that collective values, instead of those of autonomous individuals, are essential to its very survival. The book begins by examining basic concepts of citizenship, nationality and the state in the context of Singapore's arrival at independence. The theme of nation-building is explored and how the creation of The creation of a national identity has been a central feature of political life in Singapore. A broad strategy of multiculturalism together with the creation of 'Asian values' has served the purpose of building a new national identity.