Ex Govt Scholar Economist Donald Low Now PAP Govt Critic?

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

recently been following the comments/insights by economist Donald Low of LKYSPP which appear to be quite critical of some of PAP govt's policies, wif interest...sampling of his comments below...

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/how-govt-could-tackle-singapore’s-income-gap-problem--panel-095938746.html

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/contain-si...utionalise-dissent--donald-low-094743693.html

also read his comment in tdy's ST4/2 where he was critical of the latest white paper on population n immigration, saying it lacked academic rigour...

Looks like Yeoh Lam Keong(ex top economist at gic n college mate of tharman) has found another 'soul' buddy?...

Btw does anyone hv any interesting info on this chap's background...?...

 

[Dreamer1]

Brother PB,any one who has a basic understanding of Singapore national economy would not agree with PAP.
We are now into K economy,4 factors,1.Capital which LKY over used,2.Labour which PAP overused,3.Productivity which PAP misused with too much foreign workers turnover,4.Knowledge and Value Creators which PAP has ZERO idea on how to produce.
Conclusion-PAP sure die in 2016.No way for anyone to save PAP,not even superman LKY jumping up and down on his death bed.

 

[Leongsam]

,4.Knowledge and Value Creators which PAP has ZERO idea on how to produce.

Governments don't produce this category no matter where you are in the world.

Knowledge and value creators are produced by the community ie people like you.

 

[Dreamer1]

Governments don't produce this category no matter where you are in the world.

Knowledge and value creators are produced by the community ie people like you.

Boss Sam,of course you are right,the government does have a job.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC)
Dr. Morris Chang – the founding Chairman of TSMC
The new economic model of Taiwan’s economic development in two parts
1/2 小英教育基金會「台灣經濟發展新模式」講座-張忠謀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=95sHSd8kdTU
Dr Morris Chang made the following points:
(1)21st century moves from Capital industry – knowledge Industry (Innovation & Value creation),there are critical factors will determine economic development during 21st century.-Capital,Labour Force,Productivity & Innovation.
(2)Call on government to reduce GINI coefficient ,Higher taxation on top earners, Rich people are paying too little tax , even Taiwan government tax high income earners atthe highest tax rate of 40% but the richest tycoons only pay 7 to 8% income tax,
Government should study the income of Top 2% vs Middle Class 20%,to tighten the current loopholes on legalised tax avoidance.
(3)”Industry Policy” (THIS IS FUCKING PAP'S JOB)should focus on creating an enviroment to encourage innovations,openness and fair competition,but not on picking winners or rescuing losers.
Businesss should put more emphasis on innovations and value creations-more emphasis on innovators and added value creators.and less emphsis on capital.
(4)Educational policy should focus on
a.Training people to perform a useful economic rule in society
b.Innovators and value creators
c.Leaders of society
(5)The importance of an “OPEN SOCIETY” for the country to move forward.
Singapore is staying put or moving backwards,what a pity.
The slides are in English
2/2 小英教育基金會「台灣經濟發展新模式」講座-張忠謀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2Boj5tcpw3M

Boss sam,I know that you are a supporter of PAP,please try to get this message to PAP(Note,PAP likes FAKED one,so it is OK even if you are one)
God bless you for helping us Singapore citizens,amen.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Yet, criticisms have also been levelled at the white paper itself – the most notable coming from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Senior Fellow, Donald Low. He “criticised the lack of scholarship and academic rigour in the white paper”, adding on his Facebook posting: “If this was a term paper, I would have no qualms failing it - whether or not I agree with it.”

 

[scroobal]

Was hoping that someone will throw some light. I guess they are going to wait for ST to write about him first. Anyway, this chap has been "heavily" involved in shaping policies in the social services, healthcare and CPF space during the last decade.

Btw does anyone hv any interesting info on this chap's background...?...

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Was hoping that someone will throw some light. I guess they are going to wait for ST to write about him first. Anyway, this chap has been "heavily" involved in shaping policies in the social services, healthcare and CPF space during the last decade.

Mr Donald Low is Senior Fellow and Assistant Dean (Research Centres) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He has administrative oversight of the School’s research centres and leads the School’s case writing efforts.*His research interests at the School include inequality and social spending, behavioural economics, economics and public policy, public finance, and governance and politics in Singapore.*

Prior to his current appointment, Donald served fifteen years in the Singapore government. During that time, he established the Centre for Public Economics at the Civil Service College of Singapore to advance economics literacy in the Singapore government.*Donald also held various senior positions at the heart of the Singapore government.

He was the Director of Fiscal Policy at the Ministry of Finance from 2004 to 2005, and the Director of the Strategic Policy Office in the Public Service Division from 2006 to 2007.*Donald co-wrote and edited*Behavioural Economics and Policy Design: Examples from Singapore*(2011), a pioneering book which details how the Singapore government has applied ideas from the field of behavioural economics in the design of public policies.*

Donald holds a double first in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, and a Masters in International Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently a Vice President at the Economics Society of Singapore.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Porf

I might be wrong but the rumour has it that he was a pain in the ass in the civil service, a noted independent thinker who did not unfortunately find a political mountain or civil service sponsor.



Locke












QUOTE=Porfirio Rubirosa;1410807]Mr Donald Low is Senior Fellow and Assistant Dean (Research Centres) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He has administrative oversight of the School’s research centres and leads the School’s case writing efforts.*His research interests at the School include inequality and social spending, behavioural economics, economics and public policy, public finance, and governance and politics in Singapore.*

Prior to his current appointment, Donald served fifteen years in the Singapore government. During that time, he established the Centre for Public Economics at the Civil Service College of Singapore to advance economics literacy in the Singapore government.*Donald also held various senior positions at the heart of the Singapore government.

He was the Director of Fiscal Policy at the Ministry of Finance from 2004 to 2005, and the Director of the Strategic Policy Office in the Public Service Division from 2006 to 2007.*Donald co-wrote and edited*Behavioural Economics and Policy Design: Examples from Singapore*(2011), a pioneering book which details how the Singapore government has applied ideas from the field of behavioural economics in the design of public policies.*

Donald holds a double first in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, and a Masters in International Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently a Vice President at the Economics Society of Singapore.[/QUOTE]

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Donald Low together wif the likes of Yeoh Lam Keong(who i hv been following wif great interest for some time now), Tan Tarn How n Lawrence Lien appear to be heavy hitters who may be swinging left of centre...

I end wif a quote fm Chua Mui Hoong's article in tdy's ST5/2 ...food for thought perhaps?

"...But this time, the broad strokes of its position(WP) - slower growth that can be sustained with minimal immigration - is similar to proposals spelt out by economists like Mr Yeoh Lam Keong, whose ideas gain easy traction online and among Singapore's socially- conscious intelligentsia. The WP alternative will thus appear viable..."

PS...wonder what has happened to Lee Han Shih?...

 

[ray_of_hope]

He is part of the magic circle. He can say whatever he likes without consequences.

 

[byleftcan]

He is part of the magic circle. He can say whatever he likes without consequences.

And so what does this mean? He is "allowed" to be a vocal critic and sanctioned with tacit nods and winks

 

[jubilee1919]

Yet, criticisms have also been levelled at the white paper itself – the most notable coming from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Senior Fellow, Donald Low. He “criticised the lack of scholarship and academic rigour in the white paper”, adding on his Facebook posting: “If this was a term paper, I would have no qualms failing it - whether or not I agree with it.”

The manner in which they presented the White Paper makes them look pretty foolish. Don't tell me they were again 'caught by surprise' over this problem of ageing population in Singapore. After 50 years of rule ensuring Singapore runs like clockwork, this problem appears to have overcome them and they are unable to find a solution other than opening the immigration doors wider.

 

[winnipegjets]

Governments don't produce this category no matter where you are in the world. Knowledge and value creators are produced by the community ie people like you.

Why are we paying the ministers millions then?

 

[Leongsam]

Why are we paying the ministers millions then?

To run Singapore efficiently and to facilitate wealth creation and in this regard, the PAP is doing a fantastic job. I am full of admiration for LHL and his dream team.

 

[ray_of_hope]

And so what does this mean? He is "allowed" to be a vocal critic and sanctioned with tacit nods and winks

It is not a question of being "allowed". When you are part of the magic circle you can make any number of statements or even mistakes without consequences. If anyone else outside the magic circle were to make exactly the same remarks he made that person would be dismissed as a govt critic and word would go round quickly with consequences following, not necessarily immediately, but over a protracted period.

Here are 2 other examples of people in the magic circle who can say critical things and yet they remain firmly within the inner sanctum of the Establishment -- Philip Yeo and Ho Kwon Ping. Every now and then these people throw curve balls at govt policies without any consequences.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

It is not a question of being "allowed". When you are part of the magic circle you can make any number of statements or even mistakes without consequences. If anyone else outside the magic circle were to make exactly the same remarks he made that person would be dismissed as a govt critic and word would go round quickly with consequences following, not necessarily immediately, but over a protracted period.

Here are 2 other examples of people in the magic circle who can say critical things and yet they remain firmly within the inner sanctum of the Establishment -- Philip Yeo and Ho Kwon Ping. Every now and then these people throw curve balls at govt policies without any consequences.

Interesting stuff bro...

Perhaps can include Ngiam Tong Dow in this 'magic circle' as well eh?!...

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

Mr Donald Low is Senior Fellow and Assistant Dean (Research Centres) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He has administrative oversight of the School’s research centres and leads the School’s case writing efforts.*His research interests at the School include inequality and social spending, behavioural economics, economics and public policy, public finance, and governance and politics in Singapore.*

Prior to his current appointment, Donald served fifteen years in the Singapore government. During that time, he established the Centre for Public Economics at the Civil Service College of Singapore to advance economics literacy in the Singapore government.*Donald also held various senior positions at the heart of the Singapore government.

He was the Director of Fiscal Policy at the Ministry of Finance from 2004 to 2005, and the Director of the Strategic Policy Office in the Public Service Division from 2006 to 2007.*Donald co-wrote and edited*Behavioural Economics and Policy Design: Examples from Singapore*(2011), a pioneering book which details how the Singapore government has applied ideas from the field of behavioural economics in the design of public policies.*

Donald holds a double first in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, and a Masters in International Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently a Vice President at the Economics Society of Singapore.

.

impressive credentials.