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City in a Global State
City in a Global State identifies the challenges of globalisation. The push for competitiveness requires countries to manage an ever-increasing rate of change, and to manage the members of complex societies, including those that are falling behind.
In an integrated world where governments exercise strategic leadership to continue the momentum for more openness and globalisation, supranational institutions take on greater power in global governance. The business world is dominated by mega-alliances and very large firms, and hyper-competition is the order of the day.
Cities grow in importance but intense competition means that Singapore must be able to carve out a global or regional niche, and upgrade its domestic industries accordingly. Competition is intense for investments, markets and a pool of internationally-mobile talent.
Among the Giants
The 'giants' in Among the Giants refer to groupings of countries in blocs, as well as regionalised conglomerates. This scenario is concerned with Singapore's place in a strategic balance that evolves between the competing blocs.
The global liberalisation process is abandoned in favour of regional solutions as a consequence of the persistent failure of multilateralism. Strategic rivalry between the key players takes hold in this scenario.
Singapore needs to work with these regional groupings in terms of trade and invetsment flows. Domestically, Singapore faces the challenge of a rapidly ageing population and inter-generational social shifts.
New World Disorder
The final scenario addresses the rise of identity or tribal politics, which give rise to a fragmented world. The growth of activism and fundamentalism, coupled with the unfulfilled promise of global economic integration will give rise to demands for clear strategies for coping with disorder and the potential cleaving of society.
People are equivocal about globalisation when it becomes associated with mass unemployment; when benefits to developing countries are unevenly spread; and when people in developing countries do not want to sacrifice their cultures and ways of life. With the state in retreat, basic instincts surface as people identify themselves by tribal identities, which is mainly religious in nature. Singapore has to ensure that its social fabric and national cohesion remain intact. Singaporeans also need to hone their entrerpreneurial skills to make a living. |
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