We've looked at the difficulties that governments face in pleasing everyone. What does the government in Singapore do to meet some of the needs and challenges faced by society here?

1. How can we work for
the good of society?

2. The Role of the Government in Society
Working for the good of society
• Maintaining internal order & external security
• Ensuring justice
• Providing goods & services for the public
• Safeguarding the interests of citizens

3. BRAINSTORM!
Name one MINISTRY that you know
and
Describe something about them:
• What is it in charge of?
• Who do they work with?
• How do they benefit Singapore?

4. Maintaining internal order
& external security
Internal Order
• Use of agencies to protect society (pp.70-71)
– Singapore Police Force
– Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
– Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
• Allows schools, hospitals & other social services to exist and
run safely

5. Maintaining internal order
& external security
External Security
• Mixture of deterrence & diplomacy
• Deterrence: Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
– The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)  Army, navy, air force
– Potential enemies are deterred from invading Singapore
• Diplomacy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
– Builds good relations with other countries
– Works with international organisations like ASEAN & the UN (p.73)
– E.g. Law of the Sea Convention & Pedra Branca dispute

7. Ensuring justice
• Role of the judiciary
• Confidence in the courts (to execute justice fairly)
• E.g. Personal Protection Order (PPO) against family
violence

8. Providing goods & services for the public
• Significant resources are devoted to providing for the
public
• Key goods and services are provided for or subsidised
– Transport (see infographic on pp.76-7)
– Healthcare
– Utilities (water & electricity)
– Housing
• Not just to provide, but also to increase quality
– E.g. “a people-centred public transport system” (p.76)

11. Safeguarding the interests of citizens
• Provide a sense of security living & working in the country
• Protect working rights
– E.g. WorkRight Initiative (p.79)
– Create awareness of employment rights, especially among lower income
workers
– Better ensure retirement security
• Help to prepare for retirement
– E.g. Central Provident Fund (CPF)
– Safeguards money for retirement years
– Allows Singaporeans to pay for housing & healthcare needs
– 2009: Introduction of CPF LIFE (p.80)

16. THINK!
What is the government good
at?
What areas can the
government improve in?