Question
Read the Bloomberg article ‘Singapore in survival mode looks to reinvent itself. Yet again’ by Michelle Jamrisko (available at <https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-in-survival-mode-looks-to-reinvent-itself-yet-again-025507335.html>).
Using the above article and drawing on the relevant course materials/perspectives, sociologically discuss how Singapore has (re)invented itself over the years with a focus on the nation-state building processes you have learned.
Student Notes
This assignment requires you to demonstrate a basic understanding of the arguments put forth in Study Unit 1 and its readings. Additional research, only if needed, can be done via both academic and news databases in the SUSS library’s e-resources (JSTOR, Sage Sociology collection, SOCIndex for academic resources; Factiva for news).
The TMA requires you to recognise the sociological processes involved in the construction of a nation-state. Your response should demonstrate an understanding of the state- and nation-building processes at play.
In responding to the question, you should consider:
1. The concepts ‘state’, ‘nation’ and ‘nation-state’ as used by sociologists and social scientists; the processes of state-building and nation-building – you should differentiate between the two
2. Singapore as a secondary nation-state, and the way this contributed to the historical exigencies of post-independence nation-building
3. The significance of Singapore’s founding myths and national interests as defined by the state, and how these have had an impact on nation-building
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Additional notes from the lecturer that should be included in to score this TMA:
1. Explain the key terms and concepts. Define briefly ‘state’, ‘nation’ and ‘nation-state’
2. How Singapore is a secondary nation-state and the way this contributed to the historical exigencies of post-independence nation-building (top-down approach)
3. Discuss efforts for both nation-building and state-building
4. Identify the different efforts on both nation and state-building – to elaborate on the significance of both
5. Discuss the founding myths (How Singapore is highly vulnerable, and how we depend on human resources) and support national interest in terms of material and economic success
6. Compare the top-down nation-building approach of Singapore story VS bottom-up version of the Singapore story (emergence of bottom-up nation-building due to Singaporeans who are emotionally charged): Bottom-up happens because Singapore has entered the more mature state of economic growth
7. It is important to be able to highlight the importance of nation-building and state-building, the different essence adopted and how important is the significance of both. (To talk about the siege or garrison mentality that the state decided to produce)
