Chapter 7 Flashcards
SIngapore integration strategies : Naturalisation Initiatives
Naturalisation Initiatives
D: Proposals made by countries for people who have immigrated to the country and resided for a given number of years, registering themselves as citizens, The main aim of these proposals is to enable new citizens to learn more about their new home, including the history, culture and way of life.
Ex: Upon receiving their citizenship, new Singapore citizens have to undergo a mandatory programme called the Singapore Citizenship programme, which is a 2 month programme that is done through the collaboration with the National Integration Council (NIC) and the Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), its aim is for citizens to learn more about Singapore and its history, culture, as well as the numerous Singapore policies, development of the country and its efforts to build a harmonious society, at their own pace.
A: This enables Singaporeans to learn more about their new home, and it creates a sense of emotional attachment and a sense of belonging amongst new citizens.
Singapore Integration Strategies: Common Experiences
Common Experiences
D: Experiences that are done by both locals and immigrants, allowing for opportunities for immigrants to interact with the locals to adapt to the Singapore society.
Ex: In March 2010, the Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) quota was introduced for non-Malaysian SPR households trying to buy their own HDB flats. It is set at 5% for neighbourhoods and at 8% for blocks. This limit is applied on the top of of the prevailing Ethnic Integration Policy (EIC).
A: This quota facilitates the integration of Singapore permanent households, preventing enclaves in the housing estates as new residents mingle with locals, and build friendships with them. In general, Common life-shaping experiences help to foster greater cohesiveness and stronger national identity. Encourage immigrants to develop better understanding of Singapore and to interact with others outside their own communities.
Singapore’s integration policy: community support
D: Immigrants can retain their unique identities while forging common ground with the groups already living in the host country.
Ex: Ethnic integration policy introduced in 1922.
Each HDB must fill predetermined percentages of various ethnic groups. This aims to prevent the formation of ethnic enclaves.
A: By providing HDB residents with the opportunity to interact with neighbours of different ethnic groups, it helps to foster racial harmony and strengthen social cohesion between the various ethnic groups.
Singapore Integration Strategies: Community support
Community support:
D: Ground up initiatives serve to address the specific target audiences or needs, through grassroot-organised events and activities. These initiatives focus on different and important aspects of adapting to the Singapore way of life.
Ex: The National Integration Council (NIC) has launched the Community Integration Fund (CIF) since September 2009 to support ground up integration initiatives that create opportunities for locals and foreigners to meet and understand one another better. An example of a CIF project was a television show named “We Are Like This Only!” which showed the different viewpoints within the Indian community.
A: This enable immigrants to further understand local history and culture, as well as the social norms, allowing them to find it easier to relate to locals. They are also able to adapt to life in Singapore, and these initiatives allieviate the fears faced by new immigrants.
Management of socio-economic diversity: Market-based approach
Market-based approach:
D: in a market-based approach, the government gives the citizens the freedom to decide how much they wish to pay for healthcare and does not intervene in the setting of prices for healthcare.
Ex: A mammogram in New York, United States can cost less than US$100 to more than US$1700.
A: +ve: The market-based approach allows people from all socio-economic status to choose according to their healthcare needs, and also according to what they can afford, hence being able to receive affordable healthcare.
-ve: However, medical insurance premium bought by people may be priced higher as insurance companies charge higher in a market-based system to make profit. Thus, Americans from lower socio-economic status are more likely to not visit a doctor when sick, and hence not receive the necessary treatment, tests and follow-up care due to the high costs.
Management of socio-economic diversity: Shared responsibility approach
Shared responsibility approach:
D: In a shared responsibility approach, the government intervenes through the provision of basic healthcare services and balance between personal responsibility and the role the government plays in providing healthcare.
Ex: The community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS), was introduced in January 2012, further enhanced in 2014 to enable
lower and middle socio-economic status to experience affordable and accessible healthcare through government subsidies at all public healthcare services, and participating in private healthcare services. As of 30 June 2015, 1.3 million people are eligible for this scheme.
A: +ve: People are unlikely to abuse the system, as they want to maintain and lead a healthy lifestyle. People from lower and middle socio-economic status are able to afford basic healthcare for their health problems
-ve: The ageing population is a strong driver for healthcare demand as the elderly need more intense healthcare due to their rise in health problems as they age. This causes the healhcare system to be stressed, and if the healthcare system is unable to supply this demand, some elderly may not get basic healthcare treatment.
Management of socio-economic diversity: government-financed approach
Government-financed approach:
D: Government provides substantial services and subsidies for most of the healthcare needs of citizens
Ex: In Sweden, patients above 20 are charged about €9 (in their currency) per day for hospitalisation, and they pay a full cost of prescribed drugs up to €122, after which subsidy becomes 100%
A: Universal access to healthcare, all SES can afford quality healthcare since it’s cheaper and greatly subsidised by the government.
Management of socio-economic diversity: Government-financed approach
Government-financed approach:
D: Government provides substantial subsidies and services for most of the healthcare needs of citizens. In some cases, healthcare services are free.
Ex: Patients above 20 years of age are charged about 9 swedish dollars per day for hospitalisation, while patients pay full cost of prescribed drugs of up to 122 swedish dollars, after which subsidies become 100%. This applies for Sweden
A: +ve: This enables universal access to healthcare, and people from all socio-economic groups are able to afford quality healthcare, including the ones who are of low socio-economic status.
-ve: High taxation for low healthcare costs. The benefits in the Swedish healthcare system are sustained by a high level of taxation from the people’e income. As people consume healthcare services without paying taxes to sustain the system. it is an abuse of the system. Hence there may be insufficient healthcare procedures.
