do you agree that it is more challenging for a government to manage the competing needs and interests of citizens than to strengthen citizens sense of belonging?
i agree that it is challenging for govt to manage competing needs and interest of citizens:
- definition: interests refer to things that are directly or indirectly related to fulfilment of needs.
- people have diff needs when it comes to their well being, some people might need something, while others might not need that same thing and might need something else.
- thus for the govt to carry out roles and functions effectively → must identify needs and interests of society as a whole → not just individuals.
- this is challenging to do as making 1 grp happy might make another grp upset and vice versa EXAMPLE:
- 2008 Orchard road carpark controversy
- plan was to create more recreational areas for public to enjoy by converting portion of orchard roads open air carpark into a green public space.
- however business ownwers were concnerd that it would lead to lesser customers esp people that drove there
- however govt and public people argued that it would enhance shopping expeirence, promote foot traffic and crate more vibrant atmosphere. → this shows how this situation would benefit shoppers and pedestrians, but would not benefit business owners.
- plan was to create more recreational areas for public to enjoy by converting portion of orchard roads open air carpark into a green public space.
- thus govt has a hard time balancing needs of both the people and businesses and carrying out this policy made 1 grup unhappy
thus agree.
i also agree that strengthening citizens sense of belonging is challenging for a govt
- this refers to unity amg citizens, and how they are attached to their fellow citizens and the country
e.g. of government effort strengthening citizens sense of belonging is:
- our singapore fund
- supports ground up projects that build national identity or meet social and community needs.
- successful applicants may receive funding of up to 80% of costs, subject to max 20000 per project
- this would inspire people to start projects that would contribute back to society, and would thus feel a stronger sense of belonging to company. etc
however, this system means that the govt has to pour in resources and funds to support people, which could take a toll on the governments economic portfolio.
- more resources poured into helping people set up projects as such, means that there is lesser funding remaining for welfare programs for the people to improve their quality of life. furthermore - this system will only support some peoples projects and ideas, which could lead to unbalance among the help contributed to people.
- people who do not receive the funding might be upset.
- this shows how it is very hard to keep everyone happy, and this policy would only allow SOME people to increase sense of belonging due to govt only supporting some people
→ this shows how is is challenging for the govt to actually increase strength of place and belonging of people in SG.
I believe that ensuring everyones different needs and interests are met is a more challenging issue for the govt.
- the main underlying challenge in strengthening citizens place of belonging stems from not being able to cater everyone, which links back to ensuring everyones needs are met.
this shows that ensuring everyones needs are met is more challenging as that is the fundamental cause for the other factor being challenging for the government as well.
citizens place of belonging can be strengthened easily through programs where they can socialise with their communities and are happy with their governments policies. however it is close to impossible implementing a policy that will keep everyone happy as some people will always not benefit from it. thus it shows how ensuring everyones needs and interests are met is more challenging than strengthening place of belonging.
