IPS survey shows increased demand for political
participation, involvement
SINGAPORE : There has been an increased demand amongst
Singaporeans for political participation and involvement over the
last 10 years, according to findings in a survey by the Institute
of Policy Studies (IPS) of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public
Policy.
The survey polled 2,016 Singapore citizens - aged between
21 and 64, staying in the country.
The fieldwork was carried out between February and May
2009.
85 per cent either agreed or strongly agreed that voting
gave citizens the most meaningful way to tell the government how to
run the country. In 1998, the figure was 72 per cent.
On public consultation, 97 per cent of the survey respondents want
the government to take the time to listen to citizens, even under
circumstances where the government needed to make quick
decisions.
Asked whether they would join and serve in Town Councils, the
Community Development Councils (CDCs), and grassroots bodies
related to the People's Association, 48 per cent said they would do
so, against 24 per cent in 1998.
The IPS said the results suggest that norms of active citizenship
are fairly well embedded, and there is a strong expectation
regarding citizen engagement by the government.
An often discussed subject in Singapore today is foreign talent and
new citizens.
So, with integration of new immigrants, survey respondents were
asked if the policy to attract more foreign talent would weaken
Singaporeans' feeling as one nation and one people.
IPS said 63 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that
national unity would be affected. In 1998, the figure was 38
percent.
But at the same time, the survey also showed that 66 percent agreed
that the government is right to increase the number of foreigners
working here if the economy needed it.
IPS concludes that the acceptance of the presence of foreigners was
higher when viewed with the lens of an 'economic
imperative'.
- CNA /ls