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When Foreigners Influence Domestic Change: A Case For Transnational Advocacy, Knowledge@Smu
When Foreigners Influence Domestic Change: A Case For Transnational Advocacy, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Like it or not, socio-environmental issues extend beyond geopolitical boundaries. Southeast Asians might remember the Indonesian haze that had affected the region's air quality, for instance – an issue that was eventually addressed with the help of foreign groups; or the recovery efforts of the 2004 tsunami, which also involved many international entities. According to Yooil Bae, a political science professor at SMU, foreign groups can bring new insights and methods. But while there are benefits to knowledge-sharing and cooperation, the process can be tricky, especially when such advocacy groups clash with the state.
Donald Tsang's Vision For An Integrated Asia, Knowledge@Smu
Donald Tsang's Vision For An Integrated Asia, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Stem protectionism, step-up education, reduce our reliance on the West, emphasize strong Asian values, integrate currencies and promote trade partnerships – these are items that show up on Donald Tsang's wish list of things by which Asia might be united. What's more, he believes his vision of an Asian bloc will likely take shape within this very century. Speaking at SMU's Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia public lecture series, the Hong Kong Chief Executive explained why Asian countries must forge closer links with one another, and how the region can eventually present itself to be a foundation of stability …
Thio Li-Ann On Free Speech, Social Values And Sustainable Democracy, Knowledge@Smu
Thio Li-Ann On Free Speech, Social Values And Sustainable Democracy, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
It has been two years since Thio Li-ann delivered the parliamentary speech that would thrust her into the epicentre of a nationwide debate. Her arguments for the continued criminalisation of homosexual acts in Singapore earned her both praises and death threats. And it was perhaps this incident that first led her to scrutinise, more deeply than before, the notion of free speech in society. "Equality is a fundamental tenet that we all have, as citizens of a democracy. But what happens if you have a bigger amplifier or a louder voice than I do? Can speech kill speech?" she asked …
Inter-Disciplinary Approaches To International Law: Legal & Non-Legal Rituals For Genocide Survivors, Knowledge@Smu
Inter-Disciplinary Approaches To International Law: Legal & Non-Legal Rituals For Genocide Survivors, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Legal processes, however powerful and authoritative they might be, are not cure-alls. Case in point: victims of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia are still seeking healing and closure thirty years on. While the international tribunal might be able to hold the perpetrators accountable, there is a disconnect between what this international legal procedure can achieve, and what the victims want, notes SMU law professor Mahdev Mohan. To help the victims, he said non-legal actions are needed.
Pluralism In Singapore: Something To Talk About, Knowledge@Smu
Pluralism In Singapore: Something To Talk About, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Diverse societies may offer richer experiences and perhaps, higher creativity. Cities like Tokyo, New York and London are often held up as shining examples of how diversity can live alongside affluence. But diversity, in and of itself, does not guarantee a cosmopolitan society – especially when differences between groups go unresolved. Such issues were raised at Singapore’s National Day Rally 2009, where examples of inter-group tensions were spelt out. How can Singapore, with her multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious inhabitants, inculcate a wider appreciation for pluralism? And is it possible for groups that disagree fundamentally on contentious issues, to co-exist peacefully?
The Tricky Business Of Copying, Stealing And Protecting, Knowledge@Smu
The Tricky Business Of Copying, Stealing And Protecting, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
People click “yes” and “agree” on pop-up windows on their computer screens without much thought and without really knowing what they are agreeing to. But does the act of clicking bind a person, contractually? Terms and conditions presented on electronic devices have been known to be lengthy and dreary, thereby unappealing to the masses. Most people do not have the patience to read the entire list of items, so they choose, instead, to turn in their rights altogether – blindly. Why have people become indifferent and what are the implications for businesses? Andrea Matwyshyn, a speaker at the Wharton-SMU Research …
Powerful Politicians And Their Hand In Corporate Downsizing, Knowledge@Smu
Powerful Politicians And Their Hand In Corporate Downsizing, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
What is the relationship between government spending and the private sector? Do private companies really benefit from government spending? Would the appointment of politicians in key government committees have an impact on the allocation of government funds? Why do some states receive more government funds than others? These were questions that inspired an analysis into the public-private dynamic, presented at the Singapore Management University recently.
The Red, Yellow And Orange Colours Of Thai Reform, Knowledge@Smu
The Red, Yellow And Orange Colours Of Thai Reform, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Thailand’s constitution has undergone numerous changes in tandem with the rise and fall of a long line of political players. The shadow of instability lingers. In recent years, two opposing camps have been drawing all the attention: the “yellow” pro-monarchy camp, versus the red-shirt supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. According to Andrew Harding, a visiting law professor at Singapore Management University, the views of the in-betweens, the so-called “orange” camp, which represents the ordinary, nonpartisan Thai citizens, might be the way forward.
Labour Protests: Bringing The Courtroom Into The Streets Of Southern China, Knowledge@Smu
Labour Protests: Bringing The Courtroom Into The Streets Of Southern China, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Demonstrations can be a loud, disruptive, and sometimes destructive form of expression. Aside from provoking attention, most demonstrations fail to yield effective outcomes. In Southern China, the growing instances of labour protests have sparked governmental concerns. Though demonstrations are unlawful in the country, the Chinese government has resisted complete repression. Instead, they have been known to assist the protestors by facilitating favourable outcomes. This is referred to as a “street as a courtroom” phenomenon. Law professor Xin (Frank) He from the City University of Hong Kong explains this anomaly.
Political Participation: Influences And Implications, Knowledge@Smu
Political Participation: Influences And Implications, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Education has always been viewed as a predictor of a nation’s level of political participation. The levels of political activity in Latin America and East Asia, however, disprove this belief. SMU economics professor Davin Chor and Harvard public policy professor Filipe R. Campante attempt alternative explanations from an economic perspective. In the paper, “Schooling, Political Participation, and the Economy”, factors such as resources and human capital were examined.
Beyond Economic Data: Softer, Subjective Indicators Of A Nation’S Well-Being, Knowledge@Smu
Beyond Economic Data: Softer, Subjective Indicators Of A Nation’S Well-Being, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
A society, fuelled by trust and cooperation, should rank highly on life satisfaction and happiness. Traditional measures of well-being, however, largely overlook these factors, and rely mostly on economic data. In the paper, “The well-being of nations: linking together trust, cooperation and democracy”, William Tov, a social science professor at Singapore Management University (SMU), discusses the social implications of well-being for individuals and society at large.
Responding To Terrorism: A Multi-Perspective Issue, Knowledge@Smu
Responding To Terrorism: A Multi-Perspective Issue, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Terrorism is global, it has affected the lives of many, and will cast a spectre on many more. It is not too far-fetched to describe terrorism as a kind of shared experience for everyone. At a recent seminar held at Singapore Management University, diplomats and academics shared their different perspectives, and pooled their experiences on how terrorism itself has transformed, and how the way we view terrorism has changed.
Will The Obama Administration Change Tack On Protectionism Before Things Get Worse?, Knowledge@Smu
Will The Obama Administration Change Tack On Protectionism Before Things Get Worse?, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
With a long list of domestic economic problems, free trade is not a top priority for the Obama administration. Protectionism, cited as a major cause of the Great Depression, is raising its ugly head. America’s trade partners, especially those in Asia, are rightly concerned. Is there any chance that the American government will change its stance?
Reshaping Economic Geography: World Development Report By The World Bank, Knowledge@Smu
Reshaping Economic Geography: World Development Report By The World Bank, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
Growth is spatially uneven, and the world’s economies would be better off if they don’t fight concentration of economic activity in large cities or leading provinces. Rather, they should embrace the concentration and take advantage of the scale economies, the specialisation, and efficiency that such concentrations bring. This is the principal conclusion of the “World Development Report, 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography”.
Creative Commons: A License To Share, Knowledge@Smu
Creative Commons: A License To Share, Knowledge@Smu
Knowledge@SMU
In mid-2008, the Creative Commons licensing system was launched in Singapore. Warren Chik, law professor at the Singapore Management University, is a member of the Creative Commons Singapore team that has worked to adapt the licenses both linguistically and legally to Singapore’s jurisdiction. As Chik points out, these licenses reflect significant social, technological changes that have been unfolding in recent years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------