It's easy to sound like a fan-boy about my own country.
Now, of course, Singapore and it's system isn't without it's faults.
It's just that when I weigh my options between what I've experienced in Singapore versus US and France, I enjoy the Singapore system better.
I'll run through some pros and cons about what I feel about Singapore.
Not saying that other countries have solved some of these problems. It's just cons. Things that I don't like. Other countries probably would have similar issues.
Pros
Abnormally safe country. It's not that Singapore is safe and other countries are dangerous. Rather, it's many countries are safe, but Singapore is abnormally safe. US, UK, France are all considered safe. Yet Singapore is on a class of it's own.
Multi racial society. Racism exists in Singapore like in many other countries. I would say it's probably tolerable. At least people don't die or are abused by the police.
This was done by social engineering, where HDBs have racial quotas so that people need to integrate with each other.
HDBs, affordable housing for most Singaporeans. Sure you don't own the HDB. It's prepaid rent. No matter how you try to console yourself that you "own" the place, it's a lease. Rent. Allowing you to sell the remaining lease, having to take care of the place, paying conservancy charges, etc... all these are just "terms of the lease", in the end it's just a lease. After 99 years, it's still not yours.
BUT... it's cheap rent.
S$450k for 99 years... that's around S$4,500 rent per year! Not even adjusting for inflation.
CPF. It's really quite a good system. Forced savings for Singaporeans have allowed them to have enough money to pay for their first homes. Unfortunately, some people try to out game the system and try to use up as much of their CPF as possible. Resulting in potentially less money for their retirement. If the average Singaporean contributes to CPF, uses the CPF for their HDB, doesn't overextend their debt and try to use up all their CPF, they would likely have a fair sum in their CPF for their retirement and minimum sum requirements.
Control of property markets. In a small city state, it's actually a very good policy. To hinder property speculation and over investment in property. It tries to ensure that property is purchased by people to stay in and tries to avoid having rich people bidding up the price of the property in the country.
Of course this also hinders other Singaporeans from buying their second property. But I think it's a good policy to keep the prices affordable for people who want to stay.
Fairly educated population.
Due to sufficient education for the large majority of the population, there is ample opportunities for employment for MOST of the population.
BUT (*See related con)
Good and affordable medical system. Singapore's medical capability is actually very good. It's not cheap. But personally, with insurance, I find it affordable. Many other countries have quite dysfunctional medical systems. Too little capacity for too many people, long waiting lists, high expenses, etc. Yes, there are countries where healthcare is free. However, if we look at non-socialist countries, Singapore's medical system is considered affordable enough.
Cheap food with good variety and quality. I said this before. BUT (+See related con)
Strong Singapore dollar. Allows many Singaporeans to travel to many countries without working too many years. Imagine having to save to travel if you are from other SEA countries.
Strong passport. Allows Singaporeans to travel to many countries without much issues.
Working politics. As much as I complain about the politics in Singapore. It has worked to bring Singapore to it's current state. We don't have dysfunctional politics where there are differing value systems. It's not like Democrats stand for one ideal vs Republicans standing for a different ideal.
In Singapore, it's not really about such fluffy principles, it's about things that work for the population.
You really can't deny that many people in Singapore live a pretty high quality of life.
Cons
COE. I like to drive. I would like to own a car if possible. I understand why the quotas are important to keep the number of vehicles low. It makes cars a luxury product and generates revenue for the Government. I understand it. It's probably a good idea if I look at the big picture... but I don't like it.
Expensive housing... Yes I said HDBs are good. But like I said... I don't own the place. I'll probably never own a freehold property. So I'm just complaining. It's still a con.
All other major cities have this issue. Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, etc... Any big major city will have expensive property prices. Can't be helped.
Government importing too many workers. Due to cheap labour, companies have little incentive to automate, innovate, or invest in other less labour intensive methods. It's an easy way out that the Government seems to encourage.
+Due to the importing of cheap labour, food and many other costs have remained low.
*Even though there is sufficient education, many people may not be wise and aren't critical thinkers, but this is evident in all countries. The system has created a population of workers which was good for the industrialized era. But now with more and more automation, workers will likely have a tougher time in future.
Highly elitist society. People look down on menial workers. Parents use that as threats to keep their kids studying. Which is pretty insulting. It's not like being a cleaner is dishonest work. Sure kids need encouragement to study hard, but using someone else as a negative example is really not the right way.
Not to mention that as we look at different classes of society, the higher ups are pretty out of touch of the situation that many people face. They may be able to understand it from an academic perspective, but they don't empathize with the common folk.
I would say this is the case for the rich, politicians, scholars. (Did I miss anyone?)
Have you talked to people who have studied in Raffles or other elite schools?
Or... How can someone who earns $10k understand someone who earns $3k. It's easy to forgot our roots. Even though I didn't earn much at the start, once pay increases, it's easy to get used to higher pay and forget what it was like to live on less.
Many citizens are indifferent about politics, misinformed, uninformed, don't read enough, don't analyze enough, or simply can't be bothered.
This can be good or bad, cos it creates a population of sheep who don't create too much trouble and just keep their heads down and work.
Personally, I feel that the leadership team in Singapore is getting sloppy. Or unable to find good talent. I watch clips of their debate, speeches, etc... I find that many do not command the respect, knowledge and wisdom of the first generation of leaders.
Nanny state. The Government really takes care of the people too much. This results in the people loving to complain about any thing. And everything also blame the Government.
POFMAS & changing of Presidential rules. Said it before here.
National Service. I feel it's necessary as I've said here. But I also don't like it.
Singapore a small country, there's a bunch if cons relating to that.
It's hard to get out of ones' parents/family members expectations and influence. It's hard to run away from your parents when they live just 1 hour away on a tiny island.
There's little options to explore other lifestyles. Can't move to the countryside.
There's limited activities for entertainment.
It's a small economy, so certain industries won't be able to flourish.
Economy is controlled by a few big players.
I probably missed out a lot of other things but here's what I could think of so far.
Singapore isn't the greatest country in the world.
Every country has it's pros and cons. And different people define "greatest" differently.
What works for you might not work for me.
For me, I'm ok with what Singapore has to offer, for my own purposes.
Other people may not like it for their own reasons. And that's fine as well.
To each their own.
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