The world is seeing a large pushback against existing political systems in what some have described as a “democratic deconsolidation”. With the disruptions caused by COVID-19, and issues such as systemic inequality and the climate crisis lacking resolution, the voices of discontent and disillusionment are getting louder. The world has also seen a growing trend of activism, particularly among youths, who have harnessed social media as a platform to express their opinions and spread awareness of social, political and economic issues within their communities and across borders.
While these trends are not as evident in Singapore, the political scene here has transformed over the years. Although the People’s Action Party remains the dominant party in government, the 2020 General Election marked a watershed moment and was indicative of Singaporeans’ desire for more alternative voices. Amongst other things, opposition parties saw an increase in their vote share, and the country witnessed its greatest number of women elected into Parliament to date. With its citizens displaying a growing willingness to express and debate their views publicly, could Singapore move towards a more participatory democracy? What kind of future might Singaporeans expect for the nation in the face of an increasingly diverse political and social landscape, and what pitfalls should the population guard against to protect the social fabric?
The session will be held over the Zoom teleconferencing platform, with IPS curating a meal to be delivered to each participant.