Fragile Peace: Economic Inequality and the Limits of the Western Model

France's violent street clashes offer a stark warning for Singapore. At its core, the French crisis stems from economic inequality, strained social cohesion, and rising living costs outpacing wages—forcing public frustration into systemic unrest.

Because Singapore’s success heavily relies on adapted Western economic practices, France's breakdown signals that this framework faces structural limits. Good fortune alone cannot guarantee future stability.

For a dense, multicultural city-state, economic growth loses value if citizens feel left behind. To safeguard its future, Singapore must look beyond traditional models, bridge socio-economic divides, and ensure every citizen retains a genuine stake in collective progress.

Ultimately, against the backdrop of recent political salary increases, citizens are left questioning whether the ruling leadership truly understands these root causes—or if they are intentionally ignoring the severity of the problem.

Comments

Sub-standard PAP and the Singapore education system

I make a 'policy shift' when I hear the debate of right politics, constructive politics and sub-standard opposition. My original aim is to discuss about “Su Dongbo, Zhang Juzheng and Singapore education system”. The discussion will end with a sub-standard PAP, in particular from the assessment of the quality of PAP potential candidates. Another policy shift is to discuss it like a play, a drama and make it more entertainment rather than a sub-standard political discussion. Act 1 Gangster’s demand Imagine a sense in the Hong Kong's gangster movie (or a godfather movie), the gangsters' master is shouting at his poor opponent and demand him to give a price for his wrong act. The poor guy without any resources can only offer his body or his service to work for the master. Back in his own chamber, the master is still not satisfied and continues to shout 'don't play, play, you think you are hero, you think you are tiger, or superstar or acting ...

Is Prism Project Another Central Planning of the PAP?

There are 3 scenarios under the Prism Project#1 of Institute of Public Policy. However, it looks more like the central scenario planning of the People’s Action Party. From the instructional menu of Prism Project Primer #2, participants were guided to a situation in 2022 and they have to imagine, within the Primer framework, to come out with 3 possible scenarios in Jun-Aug 2012. 2022. What a coincidence! Not long ago, PM Lee declared that he would like to hold the prime minister post for another 10 years. The other coincidence is the similarity between the 3 scenarios and the candidates of PE2011. How competitive and sustainable are the 3 scenarios to the people of Singapore and to the PAP? Will the scenarios produce competitive and sustainable Singapore, Singaporeans or the PAP? Perhaps, as what the Chinese say: planning cannot always catch up with changes. And planning sometimes turns out the wrong, bad and unexpected results, espec...

EBRC objectives: Stop “Out of Aljunied”, Stop SDP Breakthrough and “Negative-Asset” Ministers.

First of all, we have to congratulate the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee for creating more competitions, especially, multi-cornered competitions in the East. When making changes, EBRC aims to achieve 3 goals: To prevent “Out of Aljunied” for Workers’ Party. This is the most important objective. To prevent Singapore Democratic Party making any breakthrough in the North and Central. To look for a solution to retire “negative-asset” ministers or reduce PAP damages. From the reported claims from different political parties, we will expect multi-cornered contests not only in single constituencies but also in group representative constituencies. The PAP hopes to have a repeat of 2011 Presidential Election. Then Tony Tan won the Presidency when he got only 35% of the votes, a narrow win.However, a win is still a win. He did in even in the very last minute, after recounts of votes. How to achieve multi-cornered contests? By i...

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