Parliament has begun its marathon session reviewing the Government’s plans for the year. Tackling social inequality has been a stated priority of the Government for a while. This year, policy discussions can refer to a new research paper on the topic from the Ministry of Finance. NG KOK HOE (National University of Singapore) examines how it can guide the debate and suggests questions that remain.
LESLIE WONG examines The Gatekeeper by Nuraliah Norasid and The Formidable Miss Cassidy by Meihan Boey.
What are challenges to Singapore’s economy in the contemporary world? What are the challenges people face — from work to care, housing to retirement? How should public policy address the needs of the people, both in the near and the long term? – A reading list.
Ten years ago, Singapore declared War on Diabetes. MOHAMMAD KHAMSYA BIN KHIDZER (King’s College London) examines the logics behind the campaign and finds that one under-appreciated rationale is economic.
The “Singapore model” of a market economy under heavy government direction has led to strong headline numbers that obscure signs of significant stress. High land and housing costs, extreme inequality, and a very low fertility rate suggest that everyday life feels precarious for many in one of the world’s richest cities. Singapore needs a new playbook, argues LINDA LIM in this article originally published by the Atlantic Council.
Historian of Philosophy LILITH LEE reflects on the value of reconstructing Straits Chinese philosophy for the history of world philosophies and for Singaporean self-understanding.
On 7 December, Chan Li Shan explains the value of life writing to legitimise lived experience and challenge dominant biomedical frameworks.
Twenty years ago, Louis Ng was known as the passionate animal rights activist who personified the spirit of independent advocacy in Singapore’s civil society. Ten years ago, Louis Ng Kok Kwang was officially announced a ruling party candidate for the 2015 General Election. This year, he quit electoral politics. LIEW KAI KHIUN, an independent scholar […]
The Republic’s 15th Parliament opens on Friday 5 September. Our panelists share their independent perspectives.
Monday, 22 September 2025, 8:00 PM SGT, via Zoom In an age of AI and digital devices, why would students bother memorising poems? This seminar will examine a pedagogical intervention in a Singapore neighbourhood secondary school where students practised learning poetry by heart. Findings show how memorisation, framed through Judith Langer’s envisionment-building theory, can enrich […]
