Social Space Editorial

• Main Author: Tan, Chi Chiu
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2013
• Subjects: Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lien_research/121; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lien_research/article/1124/viewcontent/SocialSpace2013_2014_TanChiChiu.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

At the National Day Rally on 18 August 2013, the Prime Minister of Singapore radically redesigned the compact between the people and the government. In a speech that was widely lauded as breathtaking and game-changing, PM Lee Hsien Loong articulated sweeping changes to policies on many aspects of life in Singapore, notably in the areas of education, health care and housing. Everything within the government’s capability will be done to mitigate the effects of the widening income gap, level up and ensure the social mobility of all groups. In a country famous for hard-headed economic and social policies over its 48 years of nationhood, with its emphasis on meritocracy, self and community help rather than dependence on the state, the left-leaning and redistributive flavour of the government’s new policies surprised many, but clearly warmed the hearts of those whose passion is for social equity.