Singapore National Identities 2015

Abstract

The dominant national identity discourse for Singapore in 2015 is “Progress”, which depicts the transformation of Singapore from third to first world. From the perspective of the masses, this positive change can be attributed to the capability and commitment of the elites. The three other national identity discourses that were uncovered, namely “Inclusive”, “Turbulent Past”, and “Non-complacency”, complement this dominant narrative of “Progress”. Singapore has not only developed into an economically prosperous country, but also a fair and inclusive society where fellow citizens treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of economic status, ethnicity, or culture. The unfavourable conditions faced by Singapore in its early days also serve as an appropriate backdrop against which the present achievements of the country can be contrasted. The non-complacency of the elites and masses in improving the status quo, stemming from the populace’s ingrained vulnerabilities as citizens of a small state, was an integral driving force of the growth that Singapore witnessed, and remains to be so as the country seeks to stay relevant. Finally, an alternative discourse, under which the masses reveal the inequalities which persists today and the lack of full inclusivity in Singapore, was also observed, offering a stark contrast to the other discourses which are mainly positive in nature.