Which is why SG is a Pseudo-Democratic model, and not true democracy.Originally posted by Li Ka Shing:Do You Think Democracy Brings 'Noise' ?
Sometimes I think democracy has its negative effects, and it is causing too much noise. It is creating divisions among the people, and making groupings. And it makes decision making more difficult and slower. It doesn't seem to me that democracy is all that good.
I think I like the Singapore model. Power is concentrated. Decision making is fast and swift. Ideology and information is controlled. Everything can move effectively and efficiently. Society is more cohesive and compact.
So.......probably this is something to think about. I don't think Singapore is running a bad system at all.
Don't u think?
That's true. Singapore is an efficient, benign dictatorship. Overall, most of the decisions our leaders make are good and although they made many mistakes too, most were not made with malevolent intent.Originally posted by Li Ka Shing:Sometimes I think democracy has its negative effects, and it is causing too much noise. It is creating divisions among the people, and making groupings. And it makes decision making more difficult and slower. It doesn't seem to me that democracy is all that good.
Originally posted by oxford mushroom:The govt actually do want to help the aspirations of the heartlanders which makes up 80% of the population.
However, the world has moved on and with a more educated and vocal population, it will be difficult to continue the present course. The non-elite heartlanders want to have a say in the running of the country as well and the government has to accommodate their aspirations.
Thsi is done all over teh world, even in the USA, there is no backlash. Please don't exagerate.
Trying to contain them by various tricks like re-drawing electoral boundaries will not work in the long run and risks a nasty backlash.
Don't worry, we will vote oppostion then.
Another niggling fear I have: What if our benign dictatorship turns malignant? At the moment we have no way of getting rid of a malevolent dictator through democratic means with 60% of seats uncontested at elections.
I agree that there are good people in the goverment, especially the selfless first generation Old Guard leaders of PAP. Politics is a dirty game, the old guard were "renewed" completely in 1984 leaving only one leader.The selfless contribution of the Old guard are no longer recognized in Singapore history - we are left with a Dear Leader. Reading comments of these Ex- old guard leaders of Singapore who have lost power gives me creeps.....Originally posted by oxford mushroom:That's true. Singapore is an efficient, benign dictatorship. Overall, most of the decisions our leaders make are good and although they made many mistakes too, most were not made with malevolent intent. .
That's why checks and balances are the only things that save a nation if the incumbent government decides one day to turn rogue.Weakening our democratic institutions in the guise of efficiency is not the way.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:That's true. Singapore is an efficient, benign dictatorship. Overall, most of the decisions our leaders make are good and although they made many mistakes too, most were not made with malevolent intent.
However, the world has moved on and with a more educated and vocal population, it will be difficult to continue the present course. The non-elite heartlanders want to have a say in the running of the country as well and the government has to accommodate their aspirations. Trying to contain them by various tricks like re-drawing electoral boundaries will not work in the long run and risks a nasty backlash. Another niggling fear I have: What if our benign dictatorship turns malignant? At the moment we have no way of getting rid of a malevolent dictator through democratic means with 60% of seats uncontested at elections.
How do you vote the Opposition then if the electoral laws are changed. I can think of a few ways to increase the voting power of groups who are more likely to support the government:Originally posted by Salman:Don't worry, we will vote oppostion then.
If they really piss the people, no amt of HDB upgrading or rebate will appease anyone.