MAI SATO reviews Singapore studies that purport to show that capital punishment enjoys public backing and is an effective deterrent. Sato finds these studies provide weaker evidence than claimed.
It is tempting to blame candidates and voters when Presidential Elections get too heated and threaten the dignity of the office. But the fault lies mainly with the system. Kevin Tan (National University of Singapore) and Cherian George (Hong Kong Baptist University) call for an overhaul.
CHRISTOPHER TREMEWAN (University of Auckland) reflects on the enduring ideas in the collection of 1980s essays, A Shift in the Wind. Tremewan suggests that current controversies may be signs that a system that protects ruling elites from robust checks and balances has run its course.
LINDA LIM and TEO YOU YENN argue that gains from attracting ultra-high-net-worth individuals are overstated. The benefits of private philanthropy are outweighed by forgone tax revenues and distract from the state’s responsibilty to look after its citizens.
NIKHIL DUTT SUNDARAJ (National University of Singapore) argues that national biodiversity conservation regimes should be science-based, clearly articulated, robustly enforced, and feasible. Assessed on these criteria, Singapore’s regime shows strengths but also significant gaps.
President Halimah Yacob took office on 14 September 2017 for a six-year term. The next Presidential election must be conducted not more than 3 months before her term expires: between 13 June and 13 September 2023. The 2017 election was, for the first time, reserved for Malay candidates. This year’s will be open to all […]
Studying television production in Singapore, SIAO YUONG FONG explores the often-invisible ideological work that goes into maintaining regime stability.
A new book examines academic freedom in Asia. CHERIAN GEORGE, CHONG JA IAN and SHANNON ANG summarise their chapter on the situation in Singapore.
HALLAM STEVENS (James Cook University) cautions that Australia should resist what Singapore’s high-tech governance model offers — not just tech but also connected legal, financial, and political mechanisms for managing society.
If Singapore’s leaders are seeking a new social compact for a changed world, they would need to embark on radical reforms to redress the balance between self-interest and solidarity, argues sociologist TEO YOU YENN.
