INTELLECTUALS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The question that I want to address is this: do intellectuals have a useful role to play in the specific context of Singapore society? Why is there a need to look into this role of the intellectual in Singapore society? What is the significance of this role for society? I will introduce the various images and representations of the intellectual, as grounded in history, and map out a discussion of intellectuals in the Singaporean context. I want to uphold the role of the intellectual in the local context as that of an independent critic, and that is the heart of thesis. I will then expand on the discussion of perceptions with regard to the role of intellectuals. Here, I will look at my respondents' understanding of this role in general and also uncover how they perceive themselves as fulfilling this capacity. The role of the intellectual as found within the realm of politics and how the intellectual and the state react and relate to each other will also be looked at. The socio-political milieu of Singapore society, which I will describe as a society with what has termed as a 'culture of anxiety' and a 'climate of fear', poses a daunting challenge to intellectuals. It afflicts people at all levels: society, the state and even those purportedly identified as intellectual. Finally, I would like to make a case for non-partisan, independent intellectuals who can and should carve out space for themselves to express and act, and that can be possible with my identification of a vital role of leadership, participation and organising of civil society by intellectuals. The significance of autonomy and detachment of the intellectuals will be explored. From previous chapters, it will not be difficult for one to appreciate the problem of balancing between autonomy and detachment on one hand, and cooperation and co-optation on the other. It is precisely this balance, however tenuous, that must be struck, else the intellectual either ends up a meek apologist for the status quo, or be so out-of-this-world and out of touch that he is alienated and rendered useless to affect any change in the society. By the time the conclusion to this thesis is reached, it should be clear that the intellectual has a vital role to play in Singapore society, and to do so effectively, the image of intellectual I have in my mind is one that has considerable amount of autonomy, yet not divorced from society; he should be fearless in taking the powers-that-be to task when necessary, yet should not shy away from co-operating with the authorities to come up with a better society. At the end, he is still an alternative voice, but one that holds fast to the principles of reason and truth.