Often, one is left puzzled by the degree of discontent in the populace. Such sentiments started surfacing around 2009 fairly pervasively when "complaints" about "over-crowdedness" can often be heard in day to day conversations but the issues probably do not stop there. This seems so contradictory, isn't it, when almost everything seems so "perfect" in this island city? That's exactly where the conundrum of today's society lies.
For an outsider, one cannot help but often find this island state a "paradise" albeit man-made, especially if one is on a first visit. Even after a couple of visits, many outsiders can still continue to have such an impression, especially visitors from neighbouring states as well as other parts of the world.
First of all, the place on the outside is beautiful. Frankly, one can hardly argue with how "spanking clean", organised and well maintained this island city state is. Even the citizenry seemed so well disciplined and law abiding almost all the time. It's almost as if this island state and its people is built in God's image. It actually is, almost!
Why almost?
To be exact, for a long period of time, the founding father of this modern island city state was adulated by many both locally and overseas almost to near God-like status. And it is probably not an overstatement that many are "moulded" almost like him ---- discipline, organised, no nonsense demeanour, diligent, pragmatic etc etc.
That's where the contradiction lies. How can the people be so "ungrateful" for such a system so "perfectly" built? It is a sentiment that is probably shared by many locals on a daily basis. Things seem so "perfect" but yet why the frustrations and angst often felt within our subconscious. Have the people "wronged" their "hardworking" leaders? Could it be because the people are simply not up to the tasks and plain too "slow", too "expensive" and too "not better"?
In life, usually our intuitions are correct. In both instances, both perceptions are probably correct.
How contradicting, isn't it?
But in life, probably nothing exists in isolation.
This abstruseness can probably be traced to one element --- mindset. Or rather, the difference in mindset between the rulers and ruled, the "capital owners" and the workers, the rich and the rest.
Going about life in this island state in study, eating, shopping, exercise, travelling etc probably feels good or even at times seems like in "paradise". But, and this is a big "BUT", if one aspires to move on to the rest of the things one would naturally do in a life time, then "BIG" problems start to set in. Of course, there might be exceptions such as those belonging to the very rich and powerful. What is concerned here is the "masses", not the "outliers".
To some learned folks in fundamental Economics, probably many would agree that nominal GDP growth as a measure of social progress is at best a "misnomer". Nominal GDP growth can be price driven. Its how the GDP is measured in each country and one approach is to aggregate the sum of all expenditures in a country over a certain period of time, usually a year. If goods, services, factors of production etc are inflated in prices, obviously the aggregate reflected in the GDP will likely show an increase. But is this "increase" real or just "nominal" rise ( inflated value ) in dollars term?
When this phenomenon is allowed to persist for a sustained period of time, likely anamorphosis sets in. How then can the citizenry not feel "vanquished" in such a situation? Just stop some young couples or people on the road and take a survey on some rudimentary matters and chances are, controversial and "disturbing" replies might emerge. The deep vexation, misgiving or fear among young people of starting a family is real. How would young, idealistic individuals want to bring another life into this world if it is fraught with much uncertainties, risks or even a life time of struggle?
Beneath the calm of daily lives, many "worrying" issues lie latent. A mindset change is probably needed in all segments of society to correct this idiosyncrasy. It may have to start from the top for there is a Chinese saying, “上梁不正下梁歪”。
Related:
Social Stability and Political Continuity - Ability to Adapt to Change
PS101 In Action: Scholars' Choice in Oxford U - PPE (Political Science, Philosophy, Economics)
Part 1 Socio-Political Economic Realities: Solving Our Nation Problems
PSS
*The writer blogs at http://pro-sustainable-sg.blogspot.sg