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PP5204 

EVOLVING PRACTICES OF GOVERNANCE IN SINGAPORE
   2013/2014, Semester 1
   Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (Lee Kuan Yew School Of Public Policy)
Modular Credits: 4
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Learning Outcomes

TopWriting in The New York Times, Thomas Friedman encouraged policymakers to emulate the prevailing attitude in Singapore of ‘taking governing seriously and thinking strategically’. This module is a critical exploration of the basis and implications of such a claim, focusing on features of governance in Singapore that may be viewed as unique. To achieve this, such features – particularly Singapore’s systematic attempt to manage risks and complexity – are discussed in the context of influential theories and models of governance. To bridge theory and practice, the module is team-taught by a top civil servant and a political scientist, both Singaporean.

Prerequisites

TopNA

Syllabus

Top

PP5204: Evolving Practices of Governance in Singapore

(AY2013/14, Semester 1)

Peter Ho

Former Head of Singapore Civil Service

peterho@mfa.gov.sg

Donald Low

Senior Fellow and Assistant Dean (Research Centres)

sppdlht@nus.edu.sg

Synopsis

Writing in The New York Times, Thomas Friedman encouraged policymakers to emulate the prevailing attitude in Singapore of "taking governing seriously and thinking strategically". This module is a critical examination of the basis and implications of such a claim, focusing on features of governance in Singapore that may be viewed as unique. We will explore the efficacy, desirability and sustainability of the Singapore system of governance, in the context of significant economic, social and political changes. We will also study how Singapore’s "paranoid government" tries to manage risks amid increasing complexity and volatility in its operating environment. This module is team-taught by two former Singaporean civil servants, including the former Head of Civil Service.

Learning Outcomes

This module aims to:

 Provoke students to examine and reflect – through the lens of Singapore’s experience – some influential theories and models of governance, in terms of organisation, beliefs, principles and practices, the application of economics thinking, decision-making and leadership, and public participation.

 Help students understand the key features of governance in Singapore, what works and what does not, and their strengths and limits.

 Train students to think in a dialectical way, engaging theory and practice not as neat and separate realms but as modes that relate to each other in productive tension.

 Give students some working knowledge of approaches and methods for understanding and dealing with risks and complexity.

Teaching Modes

The sessions will be conducted as a mix of short lectures, small-group discussions, case learning and structured debates.

 

Schedule 15 August

Governance in Singapore: What makes governance in Singapore different and how is it changing? (DL)

22 August

The organisation of governance (PH)

29 August

Principles of governance 1: Vulnerability, Exceptionalism and Meritocracy (DL)

5 September

Systematic approaches to managing risks and complexity: scenario planning and horizon scanning (PH)

12 September

Principles of governance 2: Economic Rationalism, Pragmatism and Social Engineering (DL)

19 September

The Behavioural Revolution in Economics, Decision-making and Leadership (DL)

21 September

(9.00 am – 12.00 pm)

An Introduction to Organisation Behaviour (DL)

3 October

Public Participation and the (changing) political and socioeconomic context 1 (DL)

10 October

Public Participation and the (changing) political and socioeconomic context 2 (DL)

16 October

Student Consultations

19 October*

(9.00 am – 12.00pm)

Key Concepts in Complexity Thinking (PH)

24 October

Complexity, Policy Entrepreneurship and Leadership (PH)

31 October

Student Presentations

7 November

Student Presentations

* Rescheduled class for Week 9

Preclusions

TopNA

Workload

Top0-3-0-4-3

Workload Components : A-B-C-D-E
A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork etc per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week

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