Why Singapore's political system works

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_304891.html

Nov 21, 2008
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
Why Singapore's political system works

I REFER to Mr Gilbert Goh's letter on Wednesday, 'Two-party system better'.
He argues against groupthink - and we agree. Within the People's Action Party (PAP), we embrace views from across the political spectrum - and our parliamentary debates demonstrate the strength of our diversity amid unity.

A two-party or multi-party system is no guarantee against groupthink. In some countries, competing parties - to capture the swing vote - have moved so close to each other as to become nearly indistinguishable, even as those without access to special interest lobby groups or patronage suffer.

Elsewhere, two-party politics has become the politics of obstruction, with government decisions blocked and debates filibustered. Indecision and paralysis prevail, even in the depths of economic crisis - and it is the ordinary men and women who suffer for it.

In yet other nations, multi-party politics has led to division, as short-term sectarianism trumps the long-term national interest.

The key issue is not the form of the democracy, but the results of the political process.

Our current dominance is not a pre-ordained right. Every election we must earn anew, at the ballot box, the mandate of our fellow Singaporeans. It is a process which is honest and open to contest.

Our political system brought Singapore from Third World to First. In partnership with the people of Singapore, PAP governments have kept this nation afloat through the 1970s oil shocks, the 1980s recession, the 1990s Asian financial crisis, the post-9/11 aftermath and Sars. Which other party in the world has this depth of experience?

Were this accumulated wisdom and concentration of talent to be dispersed across multiple parties, Singapore would be the poorer for it. And in these times of global economic turmoil, it would be foolhardy - and a disservice to our fellow citizens - to throw away what has kept Singapore strong these 50 years.

But we will not rest upon our laurels. The PAP welcomes the scrutiny, interest and passion of the people of Singapore. We continually seek to improve ourselves.

To those who call for more diversity, I invite you to come talk with us, to join us in our community work and to see what we do. We may surprise your scepticism, even as we find common cause in our aspirations for a better Singapore.

Dr Tan Wu Meng
Organising Secretary
Young PAP

 

[The_Latest_H]

Here's what I replied to Porfirio Rubirosa in the politics section:

Nov 21, 2008
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
Why Singapore's political system works

I REFER to Mr Gilbert Goh's letter on Wednesday, 'Two-party system better'.
He argues against groupthink - and we agree. Within the People's Action Party (PAP), we embrace views from across the political spectrum - and our parliamentary debates demonstrate the strength of our diversity amid unity.

A two-party or multi-party system is no guarantee against groupthink. In some countries, competing parties - to capture the swing vote - have moved so close to each other as to become nearly indistinguishable, even as those without access to special interest lobby groups or patronage suffer.

Elsewhere, two-party politics has become the politics of obstruction, with government decisions blocked and debates filibustered. Indecision and paralysis prevail, even in the depths of economic crisis - and it is the ordinary men and women who suffer for it.

In yet other nations, multi-party politics has led to division, as short-term sectarianism trumps the long-term national interest.

I don't see that happening much in the Australian Parliament and Senate. In fact both main parties have agreed much on a number of key issues and has passed bills together. Hardly an example of sectarianism over long term national interest.

In fact its worth noting that democracies like Australia have grown more solidly than Singapore, which has depended on financial bubbles for most part of their economic growth in recent years.

The key issue is not the form of the democracy, but the results of the political process.

Our current dominance is not a pre-ordained right. Every election we must earn anew, at the ballot box, the mandate of our fellow Singaporeans. It is a process which is honest and open to contest.

Pigs will fly when they hear of this.

Our political system brought Singapore from Third World to First. In partnership with the people of Singapore, PAP governments have kept this nation afloat through the 1970s oil shocks, the 1980s recession, the 1990s Asian financial crisis, the post-9/11 aftermath and Sars. Which other party in the world has this depth of experience?

Looking back again, and not foward. Elections should be about our future, and the country's future, and not about the PAP's past. The PAP's past is not our past, and the PAP's future is not our future. Don't assume what you think is right for the PAP is right for the country.

Were this accumulated wisdom and concentration of talent to be dispersed across multiple parties, Singapore would be the poorer for it. And in these times of global economic turmoil, it would be foolhardy - and a disservice to our fellow citizens - to throw away what has kept Singapore strong these 50 years.

But we will not rest upon our laurels. The PAP welcomes the scrutiny, interest and passion of the people of Singapore. We continually seek to improve ourselves.

To those who call for more diversity, I invite you to come talk with us, to join us in our community work and to see what we do. We may surprise your scepticism, even as we find common cause in our aspirations for a better Singapore.

Just another way of saying that if you join us, we will pay you more money to shut the heck up.

 

[Leegimeremover]

Lanjiao! The Lee cultural revolution has destroyed so many things, now commie PRC people do our Chinese broadcast programs with their cheebye dongbei sialan attitude, no representative of SIngapore. This Leegime must be removed. Do not get fooled by the pay cut wayang. The bonus will cover for it. No one talked about the bonus yet. These motherfuckers if not removed, you will a country dominated by foreigners, with all the money sucked into the corrupt regime who will then exit and enjoy their spoils. All the problems from decling birthrates to health problems and bad ethics is a LKY sin.

 

[eQuipment]

Maximilian Chua-Heng, u disappear for quite some time already. so how? went for the gender change procedure already?

 

[Euro2008]

http://www.straitstimes.com/st+forum/story/stistory_304891.html

nov 21, 2008
two-party system
why singapore's political system works

i refer to mr gilbert goh's letter on wednesday, 'two-party system better'.
He argues against groupthink - and we agree. Within the people's action party (pap), we embrace views from across the political spectrum - and our parliamentary debates demonstrate the strength of our diversity amid unity.

A two-party or multi-party system is no guarantee against groupthink. In some countries, competing parties - to capture the swing vote - have moved so close to each other as to become nearly indistinguishable, even as those without access to special interest lobby groups or patronage suffer.

Elsewhere, two-party politics has become the politics of obstruction, with government decisions blocked and debates filibustered. Indecision and paralysis prevail, even in the depths of economic crisis - and it is the ordinary men and women who suffer for it.

In yet other nations, multi-party politics has led to division, as short-term sectarianism trumps the long-term national interest.

The key issue is not the form of the democracy, but the results of the political process.

Our current dominance is not a pre-ordained right. Every election we must earn anew, at the ballot box, the mandate of our fellow singaporeans. It is a process which is honest and open to contest.

Our political system brought singapore from third world to first. In partnership with the people of singapore, pap governments have kept this nation afloat through the 1970s oil shocks, the 1980s recession, the 1990s asian financial crisis, the post-9/11 aftermath and sars. Which other party in the world has this depth of experience?

Were this accumulated wisdom and concentration of talent to be dispersed across multiple parties, singapore would be the poorer for it. And in these times of global economic turmoil, it would be foolhardy - and a disservice to our fellow citizens - to throw away what has kept singapore strong these 50 years.

But we will not rest upon our laurels. The pap welcomes the scrutiny, interest and passion of the people of singapore. We continually seek to improve ourselves.

To those who call for more diversity, i invite you to come talk with us, to join us in our community work and to see what we do. We may surprise your scepticism, even as we find common cause in our aspirations for a better singapore.

Dr tan wu meng
organising secretary
young pap

why did this guy write to vivi - then yp chairman - and ask to volunteer at his ward at bv in 2004 and then followed vivi to another ward in 2006 after the ge?

His intentions are clear cut.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

I gather Vivian and other Pappy tuakees were at this chap's wedding reception @ The Shang yesterday evening Must say his bride looked cute and sweet

why did this guy write to vivi - then yp chairman - and ask to volunteer at his ward at bv in 2004 and then followed vivi to another ward in 2006 after the ge?

His intentions are clear cut.

 

[makapaaa]

>>>Which other party in the world has this depth of experience? <<<

Sure, in exploiting the people and still able to threaten them to power!