Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship & Governance Flashcards
There are 4 ways to become a citizen. List the 4 ways.
By descent
By country of birth
By marriage
By naturalisation
Define what democracy is.
Rule by the people. A system where people choose their representatives in the government.
Define what a constitution is.
A constitution is a collection of rules that determine the creation and operation of the government, its organs and institutions.
What is the purpose of having a constitution in a country? State 3 purposes of having a constitution.
To ensure that the rights of citizens are protected
To ensure that the well-being of citizens are protected
To ensure that rights of citizens are respected by everyone in the country
To ensure the rights of citizens to access rights to education
Elaborate on one example to show the responsibility of being a Singapore citizen that must be fulfilled by Singaporeans.
National Service: Responsibility for Singaporeans to serve the country and protect the nation
Responsibility for Singaporeans to obey the laws in the country and not to discriminate against people of different ethnic groups.
Citizenship can be shaped by legal status. What are the 3 ways that citizenship is shaped by legal status?
Citizenship in a democracy
Rights of citizens
Responsibilities of citizens
List 3 common experiences that Singaporeans participate in to show their citizenship shaped by their identity and participation.
Celebrating National Day
Singing the National Anthem
Recite the National Pledge
As citizens experience common practices and experiences, what are the positive outcomes that will be achieved for the country and its citizens? State 4 positive outcomes.
Increase in sense of belonging towards the country
Increase in desire to be involved in the affairs of the country
Increase in desire to make Singapore a better place to live in
Building a harmonious Singapore
Creates bonds with fellow Singaporeans - Feel closer to one another
Willingness to care for others in Singapore and improve society
What are the three attributes that shape citizenship?
Legal status
Sense of identity
Participation in public affairs
Citizens can participate in public affairs as part of shaping their sense of identity. What are public affairs?
Public affairs refer to issues that are of general interest or concern to most people in society.
Why is it difficult for the government in Singapore to determine what is good for society? State 3 reasons.
Limited resources Limited land space Diverse population Large population with differing needs & interests Differing priorities of citizens
What does unequal sharing of costs mean?
When a decision is made, some individuals or groups will bear greater costs than others.
State 2 examples on how unequal sharing of costs has affected Singapore and its citizens.
Building of expressways along residential areas could negatively affect residents but benefit the general society for smooth traffic flow
NIMBY: Not In My Backyard Syndrome - Limited land and facilities of SG leads to some facilities deemed inconvenient built near residential areas
State an example of the Singapore government making a decision that involved a trade-off.
Building of the Thomson-East Coast Line: Land used for developing the Thomson-East Coast Line could not be used for recreation or industry in the future
Bukit Brown Cemetery: Sacrificing heritage of a part of the Bukit Brown Cemetery to build improve traffic flow along the congested roads along the cemetery
Transition to green energy: To improve the environmental sustainability of SG leads to higher electricity costs
What are the 3 organs of state of Singapore? What roles do these organs of state play?
Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements laws) and Judiciary (interprets and applies laws)
Whose approval is required for all Bills passed in Singapore in the Parliament?
President
Who makes up the Parliament in Singapore? State all participants and their roles.
Speaker of Parliament: Chairs the Parliament sessions
The Cabinet: Responsible for all government policies and day-to-day administration of the affairs of the state
Members of Parliament: MPs (represent SMCs or GRCs) + NCMPs (Consist of members from the opposition parties) + NMPs (provides representation of community views)
Which branch of the organs of state are the 16 Ministries of Singapore under?
Executive (implements laws)
State 3 ministries and their roles in helping the country.
Singapore’s Judiciary consists of 3 courts. What are the 3 courts?
Supreme Court, the State Courts and the Family Justice Courts
In the ideas shaping governance, define what it means to have good leadership in the governance of a country.
Government representatives are honest and capable.
Leaders must have the moral courage and integrity to do what is right including what may not be popular with people
Leaders must be incorruptible with good moral character
Good leaders will make decisions for the good of the country than for personal interests
State 2 examples of how Singapore has anticipated change and stayed relevant.
Building of the IRs
Demolition of Pearls Centre
Building of the Thomson-East Coast Line
How does Singapore provide a stake for everyone from its policies? State 2 policies.
Our Singapore Conversation - Singaporeans share their views, hopes and dreams about Singapore
Public Housing Scheme - Singaporeans own their own homes through the provision of housing grants
Singapore practises meritocracy. What is meritocracy?
A system that distributes opportunities to enable future successes. People are rewarded according to the effort they put in rather than other factors such as race, religion and SES background.
State an example of how Singapore has practised meritocracy.
Students who perform well in their studies and CCAs are rewarded to help them excel further in their education.
The Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary schemes reward the top 10% and 25% of the school students respectively.
The government works for the good of society by maintaining internal order and external security. State 3 agencies involved in maintaining internal order and 3 agencies involved in maintaining external security.
Internal order: Casino Regulatory Authority, Central Narcotics Bureau, Home Team Academy, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Internal Security Department, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Police Force, Singapore Corporation for Rehabilitative Enterprises, Singapore Prison Services
External security: Army, navy, air force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
State 2 examples of how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained external security through diplomacy.
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: Safeguard country’s maritime and economic security
- Joining ASEAN: Contested Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia
- ICJ: Pedra Branca territorial dispute with Malaysia
- Participating in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on international climate change negotiations
How has the Singapore Judiciary ensured justice for Singapore? List 1 example.
Personal Protection Order: Granted if the court is satisfied that family violence has been committed or been committed against the applicant - can prevent or restrict the person from entering the applicant’s house
List 2 examples of how the Singapore government has provided goods and services for the public.
- Public transport system: People-centred public transport system to provide more connections and better services
- Water: Four national taps - Local Catchment Water, NEWater, Imported Water and Desalinated water to continue to ensure Singapore’s sustainable supply of water
The government safeguards the interests of citizens by introducing the WorkRight Initiative. What is the WorkRight Initiative?
Helps both employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities and to create awareness of employment rights amongst low-wage workers and better ensure their retirement security
How has individuals contributed to the needs of society? Provide 2 examples of the role of individuals.
- A Litter at a Time - picking up a piece of litter a day by Ms Elisa Ng in 2013
- Our Singapore Conversation - Sharing of views, hopes and goals for the future of Singapore
- SG Haze Rescue - Started by Mr Jeremy Chua to ask people for help to donate their excess mask during the haze in 2013
Organised groups can be formal or informal. State 1 formal group and 1 informal group.
Formal: Mercy Relief, MINDS, Nature Society Singapore
Informal: SG Haze Rescue, COVID Migrant Support Coalition
Besides individuals who can influence government decision, organised groups can also influence government decisions in pointing out areas which require more attention. What are some of the efforts of these organised groups?
- Singapore Environment Council: ENVision exercise to understand Singaporeans’ values and redefine a vision for our environment. Dialogue sessions held in 2014 to gather views from Singaporeans on Singapore’s environmental future
- MINDS: Ensure equal opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities to receive education and to be integrated into SG society
The government has strengthened citizen’s sense of belonging by empowering the citizens. Provide 2 examples that the Singapore government has done in strengthening the sense of belonging of the locals.
- Outreach by politicians using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to interact and provide feedback to politicians
- REACH: Facebook page where government can provide information to the public and citizens can provide feedback to the government
- *SCAPE: Created in consultation with youths as a space for them to create, explore and showcase their creative talents
