The elections are over, results are out, and unsurprisingly, the ruling party has garnered the majority of votes, with the exception of one Aljunied GRC. In spite of the maintenance of a one party rule, results do show a progression towards the multiple representation democracy desired by various segments of society. Conspiracy theories, and calls for a certain MP to be removed from parliament aside, the results of this year's election also assumes the presence of a dichotomy between two groups of persons infused with different beliefs of governance.
The first: being the older group of voters who are loyal to the current patriarchal system of rule, and willing to submit their futures to the ruling political team that has, through a proven history, led the country time and time again through periods of crisis.
The second group, represents the so called disenchanted youth, disillusioned by rising taxes, widening inequalities, difficulties in affording housing, and express their grievances articulately, (and in some cases, not so articulately). They yearn to be engaged in a more collaborative democratic-styled governance that has been omnipresent in modernised societies in the world.
Parallelled to Marx's division of social classes, the current division is different in that it is more representative of a clash of different ideologies, where as discussed in a previous post, one group pledges allegiance based on a history of past successes, and the other presents an expanding group of voters, not emotionally linked to past "glories", and influenced by the globalising influences of new media. Only time will tell, whether economic issues will eventually permeate these opposing ideologies, and further create class tension within our tiny island state. My personal fears are whether this rising inequalities can be controlled and modified by governance alone, or whether such ominous change is part of the natural progression (and decline) of city societies.
One thing is for certain though: political involvement is alive amongst Singaporeans, who feel impassioned with the need to speak up and take action, and question the long feared authority for their own personal futures, if not the futures of their preceding generations. The patriarchal structures and philosophies that were the mainstays of governance, trickling down to how our local organisations are managed, are hence outdated and perhaps irrelevant. This is how I would define the term "authority": any group/person/political leader/alien in charge of government/organisation/family/society/etc.
One might say that the outspoken nature of the youth represents a breakdown of societal norms and disrespect for the authoritarian father figures who have provided economic prosperity. If I were to comment from the position of evidence-based social work practice (which I think our community sorely lacks): The community is responsible to identify and debate on the best Authority structures based on the wealth of evidence available where ways of governance and management of group systems have proven successful. The presence of new media further accentuates this responsibility due to the speed of accessibility to information, political analyses, and rigorous research that individuals currently have.
Inversely it is also the responsibility of authority to consider such aspects of governance, and explore ways that improvements can be made, whilst continuing to engage the collaboration and input of the community, of whom authority is responsible to, and not vice versa.
Hence, it is not a physical revolution that has happened in Singapore, but a revolution of ideologies, where the philosophies of democratic engagement , decision making, and the philosophy of collaboration, are gaining ground against patriarchal beliefs of "leaving it in the hands of authority", "submit because I fear losing my rice bowl", and "my boss/father/mother/grandmother/supervisor/minister/member of parliament knows best because he/she is smarter and much more experienced than me".
As social workers/ persons/ family members/ employees/ teachers/etc, we have to continually be engaged in this collaborative processes, and be involved in identifying evidence based practices that can be adapted to changing the rusty and creaky cogs that are entrenched in the underworkings of current authority structures. Then, we celebrate the presence of debate based on such evidences, and also the collaboration involved by all parts of the group in being counted in governance and decision making instead of submitting to the sad fact that "these are the way things are and have been, so don't bother trying to make any change".
The whole point of this seeking evidence based practice and constant dialogue rests on the basic principle of MAKING THINGS BETTER.
This changing tide also presents a response to the sentiments of anomie which may arise in the general populous as they grow increasingly mismatched and disengaged from the societal standards placed upon them in spite of individual aspirations influenced by the accessibility of information through new media.
Surely, this revolution is not one to lamented about?
Hi ,thanks for this post.
******The job market is constantly moving and growing and if HR professionals are not on top of this movement they and their company can be doomed. As second city alum and HR professional, I've always advocated for basic improv training not just in hr, but for all professionals in general.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Sale | 11/03/2011 at 03:29 PM
cheap okaleys,cheap okaley sunglasses,discount okaleys,discount okaley sunglasses,cheap discount okaley,cheap discount okaley sunglasses,cheap okaleys on sale,cheap okaley sunglasses on sale,discount okaleys on sale,discount okaley sunglasses on sale,okaley sunglasses,okaley sunglasses online store.
Posted by: DISCOUNT OKALEY SUNGLASSES | 01/05/2013 at 05:30 PM
Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you offer. It's awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same unwanted rehashed material. Fantastic read! I've saved your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my Google account. [url=http://www.mizunogoruhujp.biz/ミズノ-グローブ-c-15.html]グローブ ミズノ[/url] グローブ ミズノ
Posted by: グローブ ミズノ | 05/08/2013 at 04:20 PM
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to stop hackers? ミズノ http://www.mizunogoruhujp.biz/ミズノ-バッグ-c-3.html ミズノ
Posted by: ミズノ | 05/08/2013 at 04:20 PM
Because people were consequently busy considering the move (and addressing the arrival of an new baby a little over per month later), we didn¡¯t appear open many boxes for quite a while.
Posted by: longchamp sale | 05/08/2013 at 05:31 PM
[url=http://www.h3z928yi6DeYZ4zK4K7dN9.com/]tsmsWqmc[/url]
tsmsWqmc
tsmsWqmc http://www.h3z928yi6DeYZ4zK4K7dN9.com/
Posted by: tsmsWqmc | 05/08/2013 at 05:34 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM mulberry bags http://mulberry360.over-blog.com/tag/Mulberry%20Bags/ mulberry bags
Posted by: mulberry bags | 05/09/2013 at 10:17 AM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM lebron 10 http://nikelebron33.com/ lebron 10
Posted by: lebron 10 | 05/09/2013 at 10:18 AM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM coach outlet http://coach.me.pn/ coach outlet
Posted by: coach outlet | 05/09/2013 at 10:18 AM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM nike lebron 10 http://nikelebron33.com/ nike lebron 10
Posted by: nike lebron 10 | 05/09/2013 at 10:18 AM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM prada bags http://prada.com.cool4buy.com/ prada bags
Posted by: prada bags | 05/09/2013 at 01:12 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM diablo 3 gold http://www.flyd3.com/ diablo 3 gold
Posted by: diablo 3 gold | 05/09/2013 at 01:13 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM miu miu bags http://www.imiumiu.com/ miu miu bags
Posted by: miu miu bags | 05/09/2013 at 01:13 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM wow gold http://www.wgtwowgold.com/ wow gold
Posted by: wow gold | 05/09/2013 at 01:13 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM louis vuitton bags http://www.lvbags188.com/ louis vuitton bags
Posted by: louis vuitton bags | 05/09/2013 at 01:13 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM hermes bags http://www.hermesbags360.com/ hermes bags
Posted by: hermes bags | 05/09/2013 at 03:51 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM cheap jordans http://jordans.eu.pn/ cheap jordans
Posted by: cheap jordans | 05/09/2013 at 03:51 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM burberry bags http://bags.me.cc/ burberry bags
Posted by: burberry bags | 05/09/2013 at 06:29 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM chanel bags http://direttoredinogreco.liberazione.it/chanelbags.html chanel bags
Posted by: chanel bags | 05/09/2013 at 06:29 PM
it solely screams Mug me I've more dollars than I am aware what direction to go with...
Posted by: longchamp sale | 05/09/2013 at 06:29 PM
I agree with the fact! For Ferrari name brand headphones, they appearance great. I can never around my life display that appearance.
Posted by: burberry soldes | 05/09/2013 at 06:29 PM
I here's 29 yoa and I'm gets interested these earbuds.
Posted by: longchamps | 05/09/2013 at 06:30 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM PIG http://www.japan-guide.com/ PIG
Posted by: PIG | 05/14/2013 at 01:30 PM
General Election Aftermath: A Revolution of Ideologies? - DO NO HARM 群发 http://www.jitesi.com/gscraper/explain/ 群发
Posted by: 群发 | 05/21/2013 at 10:24 AM
Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing work. affordable auto insurance quotes
Posted by: Ignipintuix | 06/23/2013 at 11:18 PM