RECALIBRATING THE RACE FOR MERITOCRACY: CRITICISMS AND POLICY ADJUSTMENTS

Abstract

This thesis seeks to investigate the key areas and potential implications of policy responses in the recalibration of meritocracy. Meritocracy is a defining feature of Singapore?s governance and has contributed to much of Singapore?s success. However, in recent times, meritocracy has been questioned extensively and criticised for its drawbacks in the national discourse and policy debates. These criticisms have increasingly become so mainstream that it compels the government, academics, and diverse voices of the population to re-examine the implementation of meritocracy by responding with various policies and recommendations. In assessing the recalibration of meritocracy, this thesis will illuminate the various criticisms of meritocracy and examine the myriad of policy responses towards adjusting meritocracy. It will then analyse the potential obstacles and feasibility of policy adjustments in recalibrating meritocracy. It will ultimately argue that the education and political administrative areas of meritocracy necessitate the most policy adjustments and assert to recalibrate meritocracy within its socio-political boundaries by considering the potential implications. Since many policies are grounded in the principle of meritocracy, it is paramount to evaluate these policy adjustments in recalibrating meritocracy for Singapore?s future.