Singapore shared values

The Shared Values are five statements by which Singapore is bound together as a nation. It was wrought out of a desire to seek common values shared by the diverse communities of Singapore to help preserve their Asian identities in a period of globalisation.

History
The concept of a national ideology (later re-phrased as Shared Values) was first mooted by then First Deputy Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong in October 1988. Its objective was to preserve Singapore's Asian identity in an era of globalisation where Singaporeans would be exposed to external influences. His idea was taken up by Parliament with Lee Hsien Loong heading a committee to explore the issues in developing a national ideology. Lee outlined the essential tasks in developing the National Ideology, namely:

(1) to find common values which all can share.
(2) to preserve the heritage of the different communities.
(3) to ensure that each community also appreciates and is sensitive to the traditions of others.

Lee summed up the issue which the national ideology was planned to solve, primarily the influence of Westernisation. In 1989, a Parliamentary Committee was set up to formulate Singapore's National Ideology and Shared Values.

The White Paper on Singapore's Shared Values was presented to Parliament on 5 January 1991. A nation-wide debate followed as well as in Parliament on 14-15 January 1991. After two amendments in the phrasing, the House adopted the five statements as the nation's Shared Values on 15 January 1991.

Statements
The basis for developing this Singapore identity was to identify key common values that all racial groups and faiths can subscribe to and live by. Outside of these Shared Values, each community can practise its own values as long as they are not in conflict with national ones. The main theme underlying the set of Shared Values emphasises communitarian values and reflects Singapore's heritage.

Nation before community and society above self: Putting the interests of society ahead of the individual.
Family as the basic unit of society: The family is identified as the most stable fundamental building block of the nation.
Community support and respect for the individual: Recognises that the individual has rights, which should be respected and not light encroached upon. Encourages the community to support and have compassion for the disadvantaged individual who may have been left behind by the free market system.
Consensus, not conflict: Resolving issues through consensus and not conflict stresses the importance of compromise and national unity.
Racial and religious harmony: Recognises the need for different communities to live harmoniously with one another in order for all to prosper.



Author
Eugene Tan



References 
Quah, J. S. T. (Ed.). (1990). In search of Singapore's national values. Singapore: Times Academic Press.
(Call no.: RSING 306.095957 IN)

Shared values. (1991). Singapore: Singapore National Printers.
(Call no.: RSING 306.095957 SIN)

BG Lee: Why we stress communicatarian values. (1991, January 15). The Straits Times, p. 24. 

BG Lee zeroes in on the core issues. (1989, January 12). The Straits Times, pp. 1-2.

Govt proposes 5 shared values. (1991, January 6). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

Green paper, public views to be sought on National Ideology. (1989, January 21). The Straits Times, p. 28. 

Parliamentary panel to identify core values. (1988, December 4). The Straits Times, p. 1.

PM Goh on values that must not clash. (1990, December 20). The Straits Times, p. 1. 

2 shared values amended to make them more acceptable. (1991, January 16). The Straits Times, p. 1.


Further Readings
Shared values should help us develop a Singapore identity. (1991, January 6). The Straits Times, pp. 16-17.

Values for the nation. (1988, November 3). The Straits Times, p. 26. 

Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. (1985). Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong on shared values in a new society [Videotape]. Singapore: SBC.
(Call no.: RAV 362 BRI) 



The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>National Symbols
Ideology--Singapore
Nationalism--Singapore
Law and government>>Political ideologies>>Nationalism



All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.