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Nov 12, 2008
SM Goh on governance
For good governance, four broad attributes are needed, he says
By Caryn Yeo, For The Sraits Times
Mr Goh said a successful political system needed at least four broad attributes: accountability and transparency; capacity for long-term planning and execution; social justice and harmony; and a culture of grooming talent for public service. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONG KONG - NO ONE political system can claim to be the best for generating sustained economic growth, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said here yesterday.
But he said a successful political system needed at least four broad attributes: accountability and transparency; capacity for long-term planning and execution; social justice and harmony; and a culture of grooming talent for public service.
He addressed 500 leaders from Hong Kong's government, business, academic and media sectors at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre's annual dinner. The centre is a branch of the Asia Society based in New York.
While the current global financial mess has spared no region, Mr Goh said he believed that 'when the dust settles, most emerging East Asian economies will be set to resume strong growth' and that the United States would still emerge first among equals.
'The main lesson I take away from the history of financial crises, in particular the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the present crisis, is that 'Asian triumphalism' and Western 'liberal historical determinism' are both not borne out by the empirical evidence.'
He pointed to Asian economic powerhouses India and China's vastly different political systems.
Under a one-party government, China has enjoyed average annual growth rates of close to 10 per cent, while India, the world's largest democracy, has also seen comparable growth rates.
Sustained growth was possible under different kinds of political systems, he said, as he described four broad attributes of successful political systems.
First, accountability and transparency were needed for long-term stability. Governments must govern with the consent of the governed, he said.
Second, governments must formulate policies for the long-term public good, even if these are unpopular in the short-term.
Third, there must be equal opportunities for citizens to compete and succeed. Only then can leaders enjoy wide support and ensure sustained growth.
Fourth is a culture of identifying and grooming talent for public service, to attract the best brains to join and work in the government.
Asked during the question-and-answer session about a lack of transparency in China, Mr Goh said that China had come a long way, but because it was a huge country, it could not move that quickly into an open system.
'Look at the Soviet Union: when they opened up too quickly, the Soviet Union collapsed. China saw that. Restructure the economy first, then they can slowly, at their own time, open up politically,' he said.
He arrived on Monday for a five-day working visit to Hong Kong and Macau. Yesterday morning, he met Secretary for Development Carrie Lam.
He and Mrs Goh were hosted to lunch by an old friend, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, former Hong Kong chief executive and now vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
He will meet Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang today.
[email protected]
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_301317.html
SM Goh on governance
For good governance, four broad attributes are needed, he says
By Caryn Yeo, For The Sraits Times
Mr Goh said a successful political system needed at least four broad attributes: accountability and transparency; capacity for long-term planning and execution; social justice and harmony; and a culture of grooming talent for public service. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONG KONG - NO ONE political system can claim to be the best for generating sustained economic growth, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said here yesterday.
But he said a successful political system needed at least four broad attributes: accountability and transparency; capacity for long-term planning and execution; social justice and harmony; and a culture of grooming talent for public service.
He addressed 500 leaders from Hong Kong's government, business, academic and media sectors at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre's annual dinner. The centre is a branch of the Asia Society based in New York.
While the current global financial mess has spared no region, Mr Goh said he believed that 'when the dust settles, most emerging East Asian economies will be set to resume strong growth' and that the United States would still emerge first among equals.
'The main lesson I take away from the history of financial crises, in particular the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the present crisis, is that 'Asian triumphalism' and Western 'liberal historical determinism' are both not borne out by the empirical evidence.'
He pointed to Asian economic powerhouses India and China's vastly different political systems.
Under a one-party government, China has enjoyed average annual growth rates of close to 10 per cent, while India, the world's largest democracy, has also seen comparable growth rates.
Sustained growth was possible under different kinds of political systems, he said, as he described four broad attributes of successful political systems.
First, accountability and transparency were needed for long-term stability. Governments must govern with the consent of the governed, he said.
Second, governments must formulate policies for the long-term public good, even if these are unpopular in the short-term.
Third, there must be equal opportunities for citizens to compete and succeed. Only then can leaders enjoy wide support and ensure sustained growth.
Fourth is a culture of identifying and grooming talent for public service, to attract the best brains to join and work in the government.
Asked during the question-and-answer session about a lack of transparency in China, Mr Goh said that China had come a long way, but because it was a huge country, it could not move that quickly into an open system.
'Look at the Soviet Union: when they opened up too quickly, the Soviet Union collapsed. China saw that. Restructure the economy first, then they can slowly, at their own time, open up politically,' he said.
He arrived on Monday for a five-day working visit to Hong Kong and Macau. Yesterday morning, he met Secretary for Development Carrie Lam.
He and Mrs Goh were hosted to lunch by an old friend, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, former Hong Kong chief executive and now vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
He will meet Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang today.
[email protected]
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_301317.html
