Singapore is ageing fast, with more than one-in-four people likely to be aged over 65 by 2030. How does a country prepare for an ageing population when it comes to the social contract?

Despite the diverse political landscapes across the globe and growing fears of democratic decline, a multinational study reveals a surprising truth: people around the world still agree on a clear and consistent definition of what democracy means.

Terence Ho, Adjunct Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, is a former policymaker and now academic. Terence's latest book, ‘Future-Ready Governance: Perspectives on Singapore and the World’, is a collection of essays exploring how Singapore is addressing critical issues like tech disruptions, climate change, social stresses, leadership transitions, and fiscal sustainability. Drawing on Singapore's experience, the book illuminates broader governance and leadership principles and aims to provide insights for those interested in Singapore's approach to navigating a complex future.

Everyday public behaviour is premised on honesty — returning a lost item, declaring a potential conflict of interest, providing information for a job application, giving evidence in court, or declaring our health and vaccination status. But this imperative to be honest can conflict with self-interest.