Introduction

In this chapter, we look closely at the various mechanisms initiated by the state in Singapore as it embarks on a more consultative style of government, in order to provide a broader understanding of the dynamic nature of state–society negotiations in Singapore. We are not just interested in Singapore in this book, of course, and in the following chapters (see also the preceding chapter) we make comparisons between Singapore and other cities as well as states. But as Chua (2011) points out, Singapore is often treated by other governments as a model: its generally successful experiences in economic planning and housing development, among others, has resulted in both admiration and the desire to emulate, as well as perplexity and the characterization of Singapore's success as due to a fortuitous and exceptional set of circumstances. Be that as it may, the fact that the Singapore experience represents something of a model that at least some other governments are striving to emulate means that it is necessary to inquire further into the nature of this experience — in particular, into how the state has tried to get Singaporeans to accept its various policy initiatives in the move toward global city status.

Even in a society that is as traditionally authoritarian as Singapore, the state has increasingly found that it needs to explain and defend its policies in order to ensure that these gain traction among the general population.