Meritocracy in Singapore : a study of societal perspectives over time

• Main Author: Ng, Celine Si Qi
• Other Authors: Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Social sciences::Political science
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/150765
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper investigates and explains recent changes to the way meritocracy is perceived in Singapore. Based on an article analysis as well as a series of interviews, I conclude that public opinion is becoming increasingly skeptical of the meritocratic construct. This rising criticality can be attributed to (i) rapid economic advancement; (ii) the declining centrality of the ideas of survival and economic prosperity; (iii) the increasing elusiveness of attaining success; as well as (iv) changes to common standards of values-exposure.