Q: Is social cohesion more crucial than active political leadership in ensuring that good governance will continue in Singapore?

Social cohesion is a crucial factor in Singapore’s survival and progress. Some people are still aware of their immigrant background. Some are also aware of differences in race, language and religion among citizens. This awareness may lead to social instability. Singaporeans may start to lose their sense of belonging towards Singapore. Talented Singaporeans lacking strong ties caused by lack of social cohesion may leave the country. These circumstances may cause Singapore’s downfall, as Singapore is a small country with a multiracial society. If race riots break out, Singapore would fall as tourism will drop and businesses will collapse. The government will fall too as rebellions may occur, creating chaos. Or when talented Singaporeans leave the country, Singapore’s development will slow down drastically, thus leading to fall in economy. Therefore, to ensure social cohesion, the government must build strong social and community ties among the people. One way is to promote the importance of strong family ties, which may create strong roots to the country in Singaporeans. The government encourages the people to give feedback on government policies. The government also encourages consultation. The government also tackles the problem that social cohesion will falter if one or more racial groups fail to progress economically, by periodically redistributing wealth whenever Singapore prospers. These solutions ensure that social cohesion in Singapore is sustained and maintained.
An active political leadership in the government is also crucial for good governance in Singapore to continue. Choosing honest and capable leaders is important. A good leader must have talent, ability and good character. Leaders are encouraged to consult one another and cooperate, so that good governance can last. Also, leaders must understand their needs and aspirations, keep up to their promises and produce results, to earn the citizens’ respect and trust. A leader of governance would affect the status and progress of the government, thus a good leader must be elected, not a bad one.
In conclusion, I believe an active political leadership in government is more crucial than social cohesion in ensuring that good governance will continue in Singapore, because a good political leader is like the key to social cohesion. Good political leadership must happen first before social cohesion can occur too. If the political leader of the Singapore government is dishonest and corrupted, even if Singapore’s social cohesion is strong, the corrupted new leader will govern badly, and controversies and chaos will occur, thus causing Singaporeans to neglect their strong social roots to Singapore and leave the country. What follows up will be drastic economic downturn as companies and industries would lack capable and qualified workers, and trades with other countries will end. Riots and protests may occur, as citizens will start to question the government’s ability. Thus a good political leader is crucial to ensure good governance continue, as without a good political leader, a once good government, with all without the help of united citizens, will eventually fall.