Case Studies

Russia’s war in Ukraine had a profound impact on Kazakhstan’s most crucial economic sector – the oil industry. Traditionally, Kazakhstan transported 80% of its oil exports to Europe through Russia’s territory. However, the conflict jeopardized the stability of these established export routes. One contributing factor was the European Union’s sanctions against Russia’s oil sector, implemented in June 2022, which also significantly affected Kazakh oil transported through Russia. Another factor was Russia’s strategic use of its pipeline networks as a tool to exert pressure on the Kazakh government. Consequently, disruptions in Kazakh oil exports occurred intermittently throughout 2022 and 2023. In response to these challenges, the Kazakh government is actively seeking alternative oil export routes, with the development of the so-called Middle Corridor emerging as the most viable option. However, the progress of the Middle Corridor faces its own set of obstacles. In this context, what actions can the Kazakh government take to mitigate the adverse consequences of the war on its oil sector?

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy Case Study Series

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248877

Kazakhstan, rich in coal, oil, and natural gas, has traditionally relied on these resources to meet its energy needs. Faced with rising energy demands and a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, the government is turning to renewable and alternative energy sources, including nuclear power and green hydrogen, to replace hydrocarbons. However coal, oil and gas remain deeply entrenched in the economy and energy sector. Past neglect of the energy infrastructure, especially in the electricity sector, has taken a toll on the country’s energy security just as demand is rising. Kazakhstan would also have to do more to ramp up renewables on a wider scale and find ways to accommodate the variable nature of wind and solar power. While alternative low-carbon energy sources like nuclear power and green hydrogen are promising, they come with their own challenges. The government would also have to convince a jittery public that the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh its perceived drawbacks. How can Kazakhstan decarbonise its energy value chain for a more sustainable future?

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy Case Study Series

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248876

This case study delves into the global factors that drove the inflationary trends in Singapore in recent years (i.e. COVID-19 pandemic-related price surges, Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022 and greedflation), examines the effect on various segments of Singapore’s population, analyses the government's policy responses and explores potential measures that Singapore could adopt from other countries.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248647

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative artificial intelligence, has significantly impacted societies and economies across the world. This case discusses the policy and political impacts of AI, with a specific focus on deepfakes. For policymakers, AI tools can help enhance policymaking through the incorporation of real-time data into the various stages of the policy process. In the realm of politics, the emergence of deepfakes, driven by generative AI, could impact and affect political systems and processes in both positive and negative ways.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248563

This case study examines Singapore's national-level public engagement exercises, focusing on two held a decade apart: Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) in 2012-2013 and Forward Singapore in 2022-2023. It explores the socio-political context behind these deliberative democracy initiatives, their scope and impact, as well as similarities and differences.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248562

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that nearly one in four Singaporeans will be a senior by 2030, making Singapore a “super-aged” society. Singapore is not just ageing, but doing so rapidly, posing various social and economic challenges for Singapore which need to be addressed by the government, in collaboration with various stakeholders.

This case study begins by examining the history of family planning policies in Singapore, including the “Stop at Two” campaign. Thereafter, it highlights how increased longevity and lowered fertility rates have caused this “demographic time bomb”. It proceeds to evaluate existing measures that have been introduced in Singapore, focusing on mitigation strategies that work preemptively, including increasing care workers, expanding the workforce and increasing the population. Lastly, it explores alternative solutions implemented in other countries, and initiated in Singapore. These include increasing the accessibility of child care, improving care work, utilising technology, promoting active ageing and combatting ageism.

Merit Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247710

With over 1.3 billion people, India faces intricate challenges in addressing crime, exacerbated by a 23% police vacancy rate and evolving criminal methodologies, with cybercrimes surging by 24.4% in 2022. The backlog of over 50 million cases impedes justice delivery, leading to an overcrowded prison system. The case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and judicial processes globally and in India. Despite potential, challenges to the use of AI in the justice delivery system abound. India lacks specific AI laws, posing concerns of transparency, preserving privacy, accountability and due process. The justice system's existing biases could also be perpetuated in AI decisions.  

This case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and criminal justice procedures globally and in India, focusing on the multitude of its applications along with the challenges it poses to effective justice delivery in the country. The case study also elaborates on the challenges arising from the lack of a legal framework in India to regulate the use of AI by public entities. Finally, the case study also explores the internationally recognised framework which outlines the ethical principles to assess the use of AI in law enforcement and judicial systems. 

Distinguished Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247707

Singapore prides itself on its world-renowned hawker culture. Yet, decades of culinary expertise are at risk of fading. 

This paper will first examine the two main problems faced by the hawker industry, namely, the diminishing profit margins and low replacement rates of hawkers in the industry. In doing so, the various factors that contribute to the narrow profit margins and low replacement rates will also be explored. Secondly, the case study will analyse the four main policy approaches that the Singapore government has implemented. The case will situate the policy approaches based on its purpose, stakeholder, and time horizon. Lastly, the case will evaluate and critique the efficacy of the policy in addressing the multifaceted nature of the problem. 

At its core, this paper serves as an example of how even a comprehensive suite of policies will not be able to effectively resolve a problem if the underlying issue of culture and people’s mindset are not changed. Perhaps, there is a limit in terms of public policy and more needs to be done to influence and shift the ingrained mindsets of citizens. Only then will there truly be a sustainable solution to the problem.

Distinguished Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247708