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Welfare State decided by the government Welfare Society promoted by the president State or Society, what is the difference?

 Welfare State decided by the government

Welfare Society promoted by the president

State or Society, what is the difference? 


In the Singapore context, the government is run by the cabinet led by a prime minister. So, the government decides whether to run the welfare state or not.


The president cannot check on the government.  And so, he or she can only promote social harmony, unity, cohesive society and hopefully achieve a welfare society.

   

Generally speaking, how can an ordinary Singaporean differentiate state or society? The president can check on society but not the government. 


The government decides on the welfare or assistance they want to give to people. They can give more or less and the president can only work on this limit, promoting and hoping to have a welfare society.   


In a competitive society, rich-poor divide, are self-reliance and personal responsibility within reach or getting more and more difficult? 


Talking is easy. Action is so difficult. Personal responsibility involves family, NGOs, and most importantly personal sacrifice (self discipline, money and time).    


And Singapore is so different from the past. A state made of so many foreigners, poverty and prosperity co-exist, how to seek a balance in welfare society? 

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