Trump’s comeback: Outlook for Singapore and Asean
Governance of a City-State
Trump’s comeback: Outlook for Singapore and Asean

Once every four years, the world holds its breath when the American people go to the polls to elect their president, vice-president, senators, congressmen, governors and other officials. It does so because what happens in America will affect it in one way or another. The 2024 elections were full of drama and unexpected twists and […]

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Commentary: Homeless shelters that feel like home can help keep people off the streets in Singapore
Inequality and Social Mobility
Commentary: Homeless shelters that feel like home can help keep people off the streets in Singapore

SINGAPORE: An older woman preparing to rest for the night at a brightly lit study area of a local university. An elderly man hunched over a hawker centre table, fast asleep in the middle of the night. The idea of homelessness and rough sleeping seems at odds with Singapore’s image as a prosperous, orderly society. […]

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15th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture I “Through the Looking Glass: Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Universities” by Professor Lily Kong
Governance of a City-State
15th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture I “Through the Looking Glass: Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Universities” by Professor Lily Kong

In her first lecture, Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University and IPS’ 15th S R Nathan Fellow, reflected on the role and challenges facing modern universities. Titled “Through the Looking Glass: Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Universities”, her lecture explored the historical development of universities and how their evolution illuminates contemporary […]

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Political and governance impact of the case of S Iswaran pending the possibility of an appeal against his sentence
Governance of a City-State
Political and governance impact of the case of S Iswaran pending the possibility of an appeal against his sentence

Three factors that will determine this are citizens’ faith in the legal process, the PAP credibility in upholding its standards of probity, and the continued efficacy of the national integrity system Singapore and its people are defined by . . . . . Former Transport Minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to a year’s jail on […]

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What to make of Asean’s ties with Russia
Governance of a City-State
What to make of Asean’s ties with Russia

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought about a paradigm change in Russia’s relations with the United States and with Europe. Today, both the US and Europe view Russia as an aggressor and a threat to peace. Their policy is to isolate and confront Russia. The West finds it hard to understand why Asean […]

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Journalism in the age of AI: Balancing Innovation and Integrity
Governance of a City-State
Journalism in the age of AI: Balancing Innovation and Integrity

We live in a world of high risk and rapid changes, so it’s vital to be well-informed. Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) help or hinder you in your life? Especially in your search for reliable information and explanations that analyse such information and situations that you may encounter? Would it bother you if you found out […]

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Commentary: Singapore goes big on parental leave. Now for fathers and employers to step up
Inequality and Social Mobility|Managing the Challenges of an Ageing Society
Commentary: Singapore goes big on parental leave. Now for fathers and employers to step up

In his maiden National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 18), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled two initiatives that could prove transformative to families and society: Making mandatory four weeks of government-paid paternity leave and introducing a new 10-week shared parental leave scheme. When fully implemented on Apr 1, 2026, parental leave entitlement will total […]

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Policies alone cannot undo our zero-sum thinking
Inequality and Social Mobility
Policies alone cannot undo our zero-sum thinking

Merely avoiding competition is not enough. What’s needed is active pursuit of win-win solutions and outcomes to achieve a positive-sum society. Singapore’s hypercompetitive society underpinned by zero-sum thinking (your gain is necessarily my loss) cannot be overcome by the government, or policies. A quick recall of our nation’s short history already shows that opportunities have […]

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IPS-MHA Forum on Non-Violent Ethnic Hostilities
Managing Diversities
IPS-MHA Forum on Non-Violent Ethnic Hostilities

The IPS-MHA Forum on Non-Violent Ethnic Hostilities, held on July 1, brought together some 200 thought leaders, policymakers, and community representatives to discuss the spectrum of non-violent ethnic hostilities, specifically in the Asia Pacific region. Organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the forum is part of […]

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Dialogue with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
Governance of a City-State|Inequality and Social Mobility|Managing Diversities|Managing the Challenges of an Ageing Society
Dialogue with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

On 2 July 2024, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong embarked on his first youth-centric dialogue since his inauguration as Prime Minister. Jointly organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Varsity Voices (VV) and the Singapore Management University (SMU), the event was attended by close to 900 students from various Institutes of […]

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15th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture III “Beyond the Ivory Tower: Research and the Dilemmas of Quality and Relevance” by Professor Lily Kong

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IPS Commons was launched in 2012. It is a platform to promote and showcase rational discussion of public policy ideas in Singapore, so as to expand the intellectual space and increase the quality of public engagement on national issues. IPS Commons is managed by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), an autonomous think-tank at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

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