A Paradoxical Approach to Policymaking

• Main Author: CHAN, David
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2014
• Subjects: Public Policy
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1943; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/3200/viewcontent/P_ID_52854_ST_20140823_1.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In an invited commentary, SMU Behavioural Sciences Institute Director Professor David Chan discussed the tensions between Singapore’s goals to become a global city and maintain national solidarity. Building on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent speech in London which emphasised that Singapore “must get the balance just right”, Professor Chan noted the limitations of adopting a “give-and-take” mindset to the city-country paradox. He suggested several strategic principles for dynamic balancing between city and country goals. He provided the example of building Singapore’s cultural capital and policy adaptations to illustrate the issues.