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Forward Singapore (Unite Pillar): Revisiting meritocracy

10 July 2023

On the 35th Anniversary of the IPS on 12 June 2023, Minister of Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, delivered an opening address on revisiting meritocracy.

A member of the audience, with a hat, asking a question

A member of the audience participating during the Q&A segment. (Photo by: MCI / Amos Poh)

The pitfalls of meritocracy

Minister Chan shared that the system of meritocracy, where people are rewarded for their ability and hard work, has allowed Singapore to transform itself into a thriving global city today.

We are a much more mature, affluent, and educated society, but there are concerns about growing disparities – not just in income, but also wealth, social capital, connections, and opportunities.
— Minister Chan Chun Sing on the challenges to meritocracy in Singapore at the IPS 35th Anniversary on 12 June 2023

However, no system is perfect. Referencing his parliamentary opening address, Minister Chan recapped the four pitfalls of meritocracy: 

  1. Meritocracies may measure success with narrow, static, and outdated yardsticks. Those who have succeeded in the past will want to perpetuate the same definitions of success. However, this will cause us to stagnate and become irrelevant. 

  2. Meritocracies run the risk of rewarding success only at pre-determined fixed points, where a single test at one point in time determines the trajectory of one’s life. 

  3. Meritocracies tend to stratify over time. Successful people will pass on their wealth and privileges to their children and can perpetuate a widening inequality of opportunities.

  4. Meritocracies can lead to the misplaced belief that only their talents and hard work account for their success, neglecting the support they have received. 

A lady seat, smiling and listening to what is presented on stage

A participant listening in to Minister Chan’s opening remarks. (Photo by: MCI / Amos Poh)

The future of meritocracy

Meritocracy has been and will continue to be a core pillar of Singapore's survival and success
— Minister Chan Chun Sing on the necessity of meritocracy in Singapore at the IPS 35th Anniversary on 12 June 2023

The flaws of meritocracy do not warrant that Singapore gives it up altogether. Instead, Singapore should consciously keep strengthening the system and avoid the pitfalls. In doing so, Minister Chan emphasised that meritocracy can help Singapore become even more relevant, competitive, and cohesive in the next 50 years. He highlighted the following points: 

  1. Our meritocratic system to keep Singapore relevant and attractive – Singapore has built a rules-based system where people can connect, collaborate and compete fairly. This encourages talents across the globe to want to commit their future and do business in Singapore because they know they will be rewarded for the high quality of the work they produce.

  2. Our meritocratic system to keep Singapore’s economy competitive – It will help Singapore attract the best and ensure that the best emerge from Singapore. A pool of diverse talent facilitates greater competition, which in turn drives innovation, making Singapore’s economy more adaptable and resilient.

  3. Our meritocratic system to keep Singapore united - A narrow definition of credentials and qualifications have polarised societies. To broaden the definition of merit, Singapore is moving away from defining success by a single metric, to fairly reward different kinds of work.  

Minister Chan expressed his hope for Singapore to continue to evolve to ensure that Singapore remains attractive, competitive and cohesive for us to defy the odds of history for many more years to come.

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