Chapter 1 (citizenship and governance)

Question 1

What are the attributes shaping citizenship?

Answer 1

• legal status
• national identity
• participation in public affairs

Question 2

What is legal status?

Answer 2

• the legal status of a citizen is identified by government recognised documents (identification card, passport, birth certificate)

Question 3

What does legal status of a citizen ensure?

Answer 3

• entitles to certain rights
• such as freedom of religion, access to (subsidised) public education, public housing, public healthcare services
• in Singapore, government ensures education of at least 10 years for each child
• finanical assistance for poor families

Question 4

How can legal status of citizenship be obtained?

Answer 4

• by descent
• when at least one parent is singaporean (practised by Singapore)
• by marriage
• practised in Singapore but applicant needs to be PR first
• country of birth
• not practised by Singapore
• naturalisation
• legal act or process in which foreigners get acquire citizenship in a country
• practised in Singapore but foreigners first need to gain permanent residence before applying for citizenship

Question 5

What is national identity?

Answer 5

• shared belief of belonging between citizens of a country

Question 6

How is national identity reinforced?

Answer 6

• sense of belonging strengthened through
• shared experiences
• e.g. celebrating national day
• common practices
• e.g. singing national anthem, reciting pledge
• common language
• e.g. singlish (language with words adapted from different languages spoken in singapore)