What matters is a democracy that works

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

Sep 25, 2010
What matters is a democracy that works

MR GERALD Giam's version of democracy ('What makes a democracy'; Wednesday) is precisely what I think Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew fears Singaporeans take for granted - an auto-pilot flight to success without recognising what made us successful.

Mr Giam dreams of a paradoxical democracy where all political parties compete vigorously and yet form a strong independent government institution void of partisan interest.

The fact is, there will be a partisan division because political parties cannot agree.

The world's greatest democracy, the United States, is stymied by its democratic structure. The President needs to submit his proposal (Bill) for approval by both the House and the Senate, with the two political parties at odds with each other.

Every Bill is debated vigorously by intelligent men on both sides and is often either amended or abandoned. While they debate and bicker, millions of Americans remain unemployed and jobs are lost to China daily. American wages have fallen since 2001.

Is this the type of democracy we should wish for?

It took an outstanding leader like President Barrack Obama many months to navigate partisan agendas to pass health-care reforms that give American workers basic access to health care.

Would we prefer to wait so long should MediShield require fixing one day? I am glad my Government is not only capable but free from being politically shackled.

When we are in a crisis, the Government is free to act swiftly. When manufacturing jobs were lost to China, the Government's response was swift, as was its rapid reaction to the global recession.

Theodore Yeo

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_582802.html

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

Sep 25, 2010
Our democracy, our own pace

I READ Mr Gerald Giam's letter on Wednesday with interest ("What makes a democracy").

I agree with his basic definition that a democracy should include a transparent government, respect for human rights and free speech. However, it is naive to think that one can simply choose the positive aspects of democracy while ignoring the ones that would be detrimental to our society.

Fundamental to democracy is the rule of the masses. Therefore, in a perfect democracy, the policies and laws would reflect the views of the majority, leaving the minority unrepresented. However, this suppression of views of some individuals would go against the very essence of any society that claims to be democratic.

This dilemma is perhaps the key reason why none can lay claim to be a perfect democracy, as the concept is in itself a philosophical ideal.

Our political form of government is not without faults but it has brought our small nation to where it is today. One would also be hard-pressed to name a country that is a perfect democracy.

We should work towards refining and adapting our form of democratic governance at our own pace. A pace that is in sync with the development of our country and also our people. Only then do we have a chance at avoiding the pitfalls of democracy that Mr Giam speaks of.

Seah Su Chen (Ms)

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_582714.html

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

Sep 25, 2010
Why S'pore has succeeded

MR GERALD Giam's letter on Wednesday ("What makes a democracy") was an important reinforcement of why Singapore has become what it is today.

A large part of Singapore's success is because we have been blessed with a transparent and competent leadership that has led our society to prosperity.

Many will point to the fact that the ruling People's Action Party has won every election since independence with crushing majorities. Many would also point out that Singapore's opposition is virtually non-existent. However, rather than detracting from Singapore's democratic credentials, the ruling party's continued success at the polls strengthens it.

Say what you like about the PAP, but as a political party and a government, it has built a system to keep in touch with the ground. Its grassroots machinery is extensive and it has provided feedback channels. The system is not perfect, but it does work.

Just take a look at the Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech, where he made the point that "citizens come first". Why did he devote a good portion of the speech to immigration? Because one of the main issues that Singaporeans have been complaining about is the influx of foreigners.

The Government is aware of the public's opinion and acts to contain it before Election Day. Despite its consistent success at the polls, the PAP is very aware that it can be voted out of office if it fails to address the needs of the public. So the Government ensures that voters are taken care of, and so it returns to power.

Tang Li

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_582712.html

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

Singapore democracy

'There is room for improvement.'

DR YIK KENG YEONG: 'The perfect democracy is as mythical as the unicorn (Mr Gerald Giam, 'What makes a democracy'; Sept 22). Elections are rigged, the electorate is apathetic and bribe-able, idealistic politicians commit sins, the administrative branch becomes inefficient, the judiciary operates under fear and the press resorts to gonzo journalism. These happen in democracies. There is, of course, room for improvement in Singapore, such as a more considerate bureaucratic response to public sentiment over bread-and-butter issues. The impression of an impassive leadership bent on pursuing its lofty goals, regardless of feedback on the ground, does prevail - well-considered though the goals may be. Singapore also does not yet have a credible opposition to present an alternate viewpoint, which is why it is important for the Government to be more empathetic towards direct complaints from the ground.'




An American view

'I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to have the people's well-being at heart.'

MR MARK J. TOPOLSKI, North Carolina, United States: 'The democracy practised by America and Singapore, although different, are probably well suited for each county's size and demographic (Ms Margo McCutcheon, 'No say? It's simply not true, she says'; Sept 17). Having observed Singapore's for more than 10 years now, I sometimes wish American politicians would always, or at least sometimes, first ask themselves what is best for the people, rather than what will get them elected another term. I admire Singapore's democracy. The Government seems to really have the people's good and well-being at heart.'

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_582796.html

 

[Glaringly]

Every Bill is debated vigorously by intelligent men on both sides and is often either amended or abandoned.

Theodore Yeo

Theodore Yeo,

I suppose you preferred every bills of ours to wayang vigorously by one single party and rubber stamp through without modification?

What's the point of having MP in parliament?

 

[po2wq]

democracy iz de mockery? ...

 

[ivebert]

When the opposition presents competent teams that are close to PAP in quality, votes will pour in naturally

Why worry so much and think about what model suits us?

As if your worries will shape the future.

 

[Glaringly]

Singapore democracy

You sure know how to pick among the forum replies, all 4 are praising PAP to high heaven.

 

[kingrant]

All the letters missed the most important point. It is not what type of democracy, or whose democracy is superior or inferior.

It is about checks and balances, and the capability of the system to prevent excesses and abuse of power under the pretext of a nobler goal or a greater good when in reality, it is for self-interests of those in power.

Why don't these buggers address the folowing :

1. gerrymandering of electoral boundaries
2. high entry barrier to standing for elections
3. domination of press & media to exclude Opposition voice and news
4. abuse of govt apparatus to for party purposes (PA, ISD, civil servants..)
5. abuse of the parliamentary majority system to pass unfair laws
6. tripping up and intimidating printers/transport owners/etc who serve the Opposition parties

Theodore's ref to the U.S. system is lame. It is a whole diff can of worms from the UK system. he should read more widely before making uninformed comparisons. Recomended reads: Alexis de Tocqueville's On Democracy in America.

Also, we need to get to beat the PAP first, or at least to rout their relentless march of dominance; then, after that, I assure you that we can all discuss the merits and demerits of having "intelligent men on both sides" debating vigourously every Bill. The very system has allowed LKY to emerge, and it seems to me many people are eternally grateful for that; however, if he is truly an elder statesman, he should not prevent others coming up the same way. And if he continues to perpetuate an unfair system to sustain his hegemonic hold on Singapore, all responsible citizens have to stop him and his juggernaut.

 

[democracy my butt]

Democracy actually work against itself, that is a terrible fact. Plus many followers of this ideology are unaware as well as in denial of this terrible fact.

Especially the western democracy is a childish principal that blindly impose equality in a primitive and arbitrary way, which neglected the sad fact that human are not all the same, and this arbitrarily imposed equality is actually unfair to most people (each in different ways) and caused them actually to suffer. However the blind followers of this idea look away from this fact and continue to think it is right and fortunate for this wrong to continue.

One rule to fit all is very unfair to every individual, and even the average concept is flawed, individuals have different ability, preferences, needs, ideas, etc. By so called democracy you forced them all to accept a common outcome, just to prevent them from fighting to gain what they each wants or deserves or can afford.

Democracy is also unfair that it eliminates the conflicts and competitions in which some fundamental strengths and advantages applies. Necessary elimination and survival or natural selection is ruined by democracy especially the western version which is essentially a childish hypocrisy.

 

[Cruxx]

The world's greatest democracy, the United States, is stymied by its democratic structure.

Not quite. The world's greatest democracy could actually be found in a country bordered by the likes of France, Italy, Austria, Germany. I'm, of course, referring to the utopia that is Switzerland. This is a country known for its direct democracy, referenda, minarchism - concepts wholly anathema to the incumbent government on this island.

 

[HongKanSeng]

Democracy talk is waste of time. People are selfish. Democracy will never work. Democracy will only result in bad compromises that suits no body, neither those who have capabilities nor those who have problems will get what they really need. The result of democracy is to be stuck in halfway - in so many cases.

Look at all these hanged parliaments in many countries.

Fuck democracy :oIo: