Why study the history of

engineering?
One who translates into action the dreams of humanity,

To understand why
traditional knowledge and concepts of science to achieve sustainable
things happened.
management of the planet through the creative application of

To make sense of the

technology.
present and the future.
Scientist develops knowledge and understanding of the physical
To understand the
universe.
connections between
Science is the pursuit of knowledge in its purest sense without
engineering and other basic
any concern to the needs of the society.
aspects of human society.
Engineering connects pure science to society through creativity
and analysis
Scientific Revolution (end of
Industrial Revolution (mid 18th Modern Industrial Era (mid
16th century)
Century)
19th Century)
The rise of capitalism

Started in Machines

From, Engineering
brought about strong interest in
replaced animal and human
sciences took great strides:
the practice of the trades of the
power.

Material science &

traditional artisan who

Revolutionalised many
engineering brought
transformed into modern
areas of production and everyday
advanced material with
professionals especially in civil,
life.
performance undreamed of.
mining, metallurgical and

Symbolized by mass

Astronautic
mechanical engineering.
production and transportation
engineering conquered outer
Machines powered by
space.
steam engines replaced human
Control engineering

Atomic power brought

muscles.
accelerated the pace of
about a whole new field of
Practical thinking became
automation
nuclear engineering.
scientific in addition to intuition
Industrial engineers

Microelectronics,
Engineering colleges and
designed and managed mass
communications and
professional societies emerged.
production and distribution
computer engineering joined
systems.
forces to kick start the

Graduate schools emerged.

information revolution.

Tinkering became organised

Maturing of graduate
research.
education.

Individual inventions

Rise of large-scale R &

organised into systematic
D organized at the national
innovations.
level.
WHAT IS ENGINEERING
WHY STUDY ENGINEERING
Foundation of Ethical
ETHICS?
ETHICS?
Behaviour
Engineering ethics consists of the
To improve ones ability to deal
a) Morality : Principles
social responsibilities and rights
effectively with the moral
distinguishing between right
that ought to be endorsed by
complexities in engineering
and wrong
those engaged in engineering,
through understanding the
and also of desirable ideals and
foundations of ethical behavior and b) Ethical Standards :
personal commitments in
moral frameworks
Principles guiding behavior
engineering
that is morally correct
It is concerned with the decisions,
policies and values that are
c)Persons Moral Sense :
morally desirable in engineering
Ability to differentiate
practice and research.
between right and wrong
Moral Autonomy
Ways to increase moral autonomy
A persons ability to make
3)
Moral imagination:
7)
Tolerance of diversity:
decisions and take actions based
Discerning alternative
Within a broad range,
on his own principles rather than
responses to moral issues and
respect for ethnic and
passive adoption of what is
receptivity to creative
religious differences, and
imposed on him.
solutions for practical
acceptance of reasonable
difficulties
differences in moral
1)
Moral awareness:
4)
Moral communication:
perspectives.
Proficiency in recognizing
Precision in the use of a
8)
Moral hope: Enriched
moral problems and issues in
common ethical language, a
appreciation of the
Engineer

2)

engineering.
skill needed to express and
Cogent moral reasoning:
support ones moral views
Comprehending, clarifying,
adequately to others.
and assessing arguments on
5)
Moral reasonableness: The
opposing sides of moral issues.
willingness and ability to be
morally reasonable.
6)
Respect for people:
Genuine concern for the wellbeing of others as well as
oneself.

possibilities of using rational

dialogue in resolving moral
conflicts.
9)
Integrity: Maintaining
moral integrity, and
integrating ones
professional life and
personal convictions.
10)
Moral coherence:
Forming consistent and
comprehensive viewpoints
based upon a consideration
of relevant facts.

SEVEN KEY THEMES IN THE STUDY OF ENGINEERING

Engineering projects are
3)
Personal meaning and
5)
social experiments that
commitment matter significantly
generate both new
in engineering ethics, along with
possibilities and risks, and
principles of responsibility that
engineers share
are stated in codes of ethics and
responsibilities for creating
are incumbent on all engineers.
6)
benefits, preventing harm,
4)
Moral values permeate all
and pointing out dangers.
aspects of technological
2)
Promoting responsible
development, hence ethics and
conduct is even more
excellence in engineering go
7)
important than punishing
hand-in-hand together.
wrong-doing.
1)

PROFESSIONS

ETHICS
Ethical dilemmas arise
in engineering, as
elsewhere, because moral
values are myriad and can
conflict.
Engineering ethics
should explore both micro
and macro issues, which
are often connected.
Technological
development warrants
cautious optimism, that
is, optimism with caution.

STEPS IN RESOLVING ETHICAL

ETHICAL DILEMMAS
DILEMMAS
SOLUTIONS
>
Advanced
1)
Moral clarity: Identify the

Right Wrong?
expertise
relevant moral values.
Right means one course of
>
Self-regulation
2)
Conceptual clarity: Clarify key action is obligatory; failing to
>
Public good
concepts.
do that action is unethical.
3)
Informed about the facts:
(eg. Code of Practice.)
Members of a corporation have
Obtain relevant information.
Wrong solutions are morally
collective responsibility and
4)
Informed about the options:
forbidden.
accountability for meeting the
Consider all options.

Better Worse?
obligation to the general public.
5)
Well-reasoned: Make a
More than one permissible
reasonable decision.
solution.
No one solution is mandatory,
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
but one of which should be
Situations in which moral reasons come into conflict and it is not clear
chosen. These solutions
what should be done
might be better or worse than
others in some aspects, but
not necessarily
IMPORTANCE OF CODES
ABUSE OF CODES
WHAT MAKES A SOUND
OF ETHICS
PROFESSIONAL CODE
1)
Serving and
A window dressing if not taken
1)
Is clear and coherent.
protecting the public.
2)
Lays out basic moral
seriously.
2)
Guidance.
values applicable to the

May stifle healthy dialogue and

3)
4)

Inspiration.
Share

criticism.
Can discourage moral conduct.

standards.
5)

Support for
LIMITATIONS OF CODES
responsible

Most codes are restricted to

professionals.
general wording, and hence have areas
6)
Education
of vagueness.
and mutual

May not be able to address all

understanding.
situations.
7)
Deterrence
Can be flawed by omission or
and discipline.
because they represent a compromise
8)
Contributing
between deferring judgements.
to the professional
image in all aspects
Virtue Ethics
Utilitarianism versus Cost-Benefit
Analysis.
Emphasizes character
Utilitarianism: We ought always to produce
more than rights and
the most good for the most people,
rules.
giving equal consideration to everyone
Character is the pattern of
affected.
virtues (morally desirable Cost-Benefit Analysis: Identifies the good
features) and vices
and bad consequences of some action or
(morally undesirable
policy. But whose good and bad
features) in an individual.
consequence? (Ans: the companys), and
how is good and bad measured? (Ans: in
Other virtues:
terms of money)
Public-spirited virtues.
(focused on the good of Teamwork virtues. (working successfully

clients and public)

with others)
Proficiency virtues. (virtues
Self-governance virtues. (exercising moral
of mastery of ones

responsibility: self-understanding and

profession)
good moral judgement)

profession in a systematic
and comprehensive way.
3)
Provides helpful
guidance in line with the
most carefully considered
moral convictions about
concrete situations.

MORAL
FRAMEWORKS

Rights Ethics and Duty

Ethics
Rights ethics regards human
rights as fundamental and
Duty ethics regards duties
of respect for autonomy as
fundamental.
Both theories emphasize
respect for individuals
dignity and worth, in
contrast with
Utilitarianisms emphasis on
the general good.
Rights ethics and Duty ethics
are mirror images of each
other:
Because you have a right to
live, I have a duty not to kill
you.
If I have a duty not to
deceive you, then you have
a right not to be deceived.

With the exception of the Japanese Occupation from 1942 1945 (WW2), the British governed Singapore
from 1819 1963
WORLD WAR 1 (1914 1918)
END OF JAPANESE OCCUPATION
Kempeitai (the
Germany vs anti german coalition
(AUG 1945) atomic bombs
Japanese military
dropped
police)
WORLD WAR 2 (1939 1945)
LIFE AFTER THE JAPANESE
Sook Ching identifies
Germany, Japan, Italy sign treaty of
and eliminates
British set up a provisional
friendship
government called British Military suspected antiAdministration (BMA) for post-war Japanese elements
1826: British combined Singapore,
among the Chinese
reconstruction.
Penang and Melaka Straits
community

Shortage
of
food
and
water.
Settlements
Overcrowding and unhygienic
BRITISH RESPONSE
housing conditions.
1867: Straits Settlements became a
Prepared Spore for
Crown Colony
limited selfResponse of local people to British
government based on
rule:
7 Dec 1941: pearl harbor attacked,
the Rendel

Organized
strikes
Malaya and other S.E Asian countries
Constitution structure
Staged riots
of government
Demanded self-government
15 Feb 1942: British handled Spore to

Formed
political
parties
Japan, renamed Syonan-to

LABOUR FRONT
Formed on July 1954
Led by David Marshall,
Lim Yew Hock and
Francis Thomas
Comprised mostly people
with low income and
English-educated trade
union leaders
Supported immediate
independence

SINGAPORE PROGRESSIVE PARTY

PEOPLES ACTION PARTY
Formed on 25th August 1947
Established on 21 November
Led by three London University
1954
Founded by Lee Kuan Yew, Goh
educated lawyers: Tan Chye Cheng
(C.C. Tan), John Laycock and N.A.
Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye, S.
Mallal
Rajaratnam and K.M. Byrne
Made up of English-speaking upper Demanded immediate
class professionals
independence
Believed in gradual self-government
Felt that a strong political
Later merged with another political
organisation was needed to
party to form the Liberal Socialist
exert pressure on the British
Party (LSP)
1955 ELECTION
THE PUSH FOR TOTAL INTERNAL
Lim Yew Hock (2nd most important
(Labour front
SELF-GOVERNMENT (1955 1959)
leader of LF) succeeded Marshall
won)
LF negotiated for total internal self2nd MERDEKA TALKS (1957)
79 candidates
government with the British
Lim Yew Hock demonstrated to the
contested 25
government. (Merdeka Talks)
1st MERDEKA TALKS (1956)
elected seats in
British that he could suppress the
o In 1956, Marshall led a team to
the Legislative
communist threat.
negotiate
for
self-government.

In
1957, led another team to
Assembly
Demanded total internal selfKeen interest
negotiate for total internal selfgovernment for Singapore by 1957
because of the
government.
o
The
British
were
not
confident
that

Negotiations
based on Marshalls
promised greater
Marshall
could
deal
with
the
proposals in 1956.
degree of say in
Communist threat and did not grant Singapore granted total internal selfgovernment
Singapore internal self-government.
Election campaign
government, with elections to be
o
Talks
failed
and
Marshall
resigned
as
held in May 1959.
focused on antiChief Minister.
colonialism
1959 ELECTIONS
Merger with Malaya a
SEPERATION FROM MALAYSIA
preferred path to
9 August 1965
First fully democratic election
independence
Political reasons:
More political parties took part
Political reasons:
Greater number of voters
Disagreement over treatment of
Introduction of compulsory
To gain complete independence
different races
voting
Different views over how the
from Britain, as being part of
country should be governed
Malaysia would assure the
Rivalry between the PAP and the
THE ROAD TO
British that Spore would be
INDEPENDENCE
Alliance over the 1963 & 1964
able to withstand the
elections
Spore achieved total internal
Communist threat.
Racial riots
Economic survival:
self-government from the
Malaysia for all Malaysians
British on 3 June 1959.
Declining entreport trade
Campaign of PAP (Challenged
For the newly elected PAP
Growing population which
the rights of Malays)
government, the next
required jobs
Economic reasons:
constitutional step for Spore Formation of Common Market
Failure to set up the Common
was independence.
Market.
ISSUES affecting merger

Increase
in revenue contribution
MERGER WITH MALAYA TO
Internal:
from Spore to the Federal
FORM MALAYSIA
Opposition from radicals within
Government
16 Sept 1963:
the PAP who were pro
Limited
economic progress for
Malaysia came into existance,
Communist.
Spore
comprising Spore, 11 states of External:
Malaya, and Sabah and
Sarawak.

Opposition from Philippines (who

claimed that Sabah belonged
to them) and from Indonesia
(who laid claim on Sarawak).

Singapore became a member

of the United Nations in
September 1965

Political Framework of Singapore (System is multi-party democracy)

President - head of state (every 6 years)
Parliament is unicameral

Some veto powers in

national reserves
appointment of judiciary positions

Prime Minister - head of government

Prime Ministers of Singapore:
Lee Kuan Yew: 1959 1990
Goh Chok Tong: 1990 2004
Lee Hsien Loong: 2004 Present

General Election is held every five years, and the next

one 2020.
16 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and 13
Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs)
Members of Parliament (MPs) 89 elected
Non-constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) 3
elected (top losers)
Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) 9
appointed by president

Parliament & President make up the legislature NCMPs and NMPs cannot vote on the following issues:
amendment of the constitution
of Singapore
public funds
vote of no confidence in the government
removing the President from office
KEY CURRENT POLITICAL ISSUES
SOME KEY SOCIAL ISSUES
Succession of political leadership
Racial tolerance and harmony
The impact of opposition political parties
Low birth rate
The changing profile of the electorate (varying Ageing population/workforce
Issues of retirement and attracting senior citizens and
expectations, influence of internet, etc)
Impacts of geo-political tensions, such as:
women to rejoin the workforce

Territorial rights (e.g. the South Social issues of reliance on foreign labour/talent
Rising income gaps
China Sea disputes between China and
Inflation and the rising costs of living food, transport,
claimant countries)
health-care, education, etc

Terrorism (e.g. the global

Work-life
balance: conflict been work and social
terrorist threats by the Islamic State of Iraq
priorities
and Syria, ISIS)
Resources to meet targeted rise of population to 6

Spill-over effects of political

million people
instability in the countries in the region

Social
impacts of meritocracy
(esp. Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar,
Brain drain and outflow of local talent
Philippines)
Nurturing an entrepreneural culture

Disputes with Malaysia (Water

Developing a more gracious society
issue, maritime boundaries, air space,
Risk of rising income gaps
Causeway, railway, etc)
Social versus economic priorities (e.g. implications of

Uncertainties in Europe arising

casinos in the Integrated Resorts, etc)
from Brexit, and in USA with impending
Achieving the Global School House strategy
Presidential election in Nov16
Need to reduce dependency on regional trade
EDUCATION
and hostile neighbors.
Under the Compulsory Education Act of Spore, it is
Bilateral agreements with:
compulsory for all children of primary school age to

Australia (SAFTA)(FTA = Free

attend school. Exemptions are allowed for children
Trade Agreement)
with disabilities, homeschooling or full-time religious

USA (USFTA)
education.

EFTA (European Free Trade

Pathways are open to students to pursue secondary
Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway,
and post-secondary education through Secondary
Switzerland)
Schools, Junior Colleges, Institute of Technical

New Zealand (ANZSCEP)

Education, Polytechnics and Universities
(Agreement between NZ & Singapore on a
Closer Economic Partnership)

S.Korea (KSFTA), Panama

(PSFTA)

MILESTONES OF SINGAPORES ECONOMIC

ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY OF SINGAPORE
DEVELOPMENT
1960s: Economic survival as a Third-World country Capitalist approach of free market and outward
1970s: Fulfillment of basic needs of the population
orientation
1990s: Industrialised nation
Underpinned by stable macro-economic
2010: First-World nation
environment of low inflation, managed-float
exchange rates, etc
Liberal trade and investment policies
SINGAPORES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Stage 1: Import
Stage 2: Export orientation (1966-78)
Stage 3: Industrial
substitution (1959-65) Since independence in 1965
restructuring (1979-84)
Import substitution failed due to small
Self-government to a
Take-off to hi-tech, skilldomestic market (no more hinterland) &
federal state
intensive industries (higher
Links with Malaysia (a
no economy of scale
value-added per worker,

British
withdrawal
compounded
problem
of
bigger hinterland)
predecessor of knowledge
Entreport to
unemployment (loss of 50,000 jobs)
worker today)
Adopted export-orientation approach
To computerise, automate &
industrialisation
Open-door policy to attract
through industrialization
mechanise operation,
Tariffs removed, exports grew, balance of
foreign investment
using capital-intensive
13% unemployment in
payment improved, unemployment
equipment and technology1959
reduced
based processes
Pioneer status for labour- Full employment by early 1970s
EDB-MNC Training Centres
Still a low-wage producer, attractive to
intensive industries
established for skilling the
Setting up of EDB in 1961
MNCs as a low-cost production base
workforce (e.g. GSI, FSI, JSI,
EDB granted investment incentives
to promote
etc)
Low-wage, labour-intensive industries
industrialization
Increased emphasis on R&D
Protectionist policies using
threatened by regional competitors
High-wage producer, levy on
(resource-rich neighbours)
tariffs to shield local
unskilled foreign workers
Restructuring began in late 70s for hi-tech, Develop high value-added
industries from foreign
high-value industry
competition
services
Unemployment still >10%
Wage increases>>
by 1965
productivity growth
Stage 4: Economic diversification (1985-92)
Stage 5: Further restructuring (199399)
First economic recession in Singapore in 1985
Economic Committee chaired by BG Lee
Restructuring domestic sectors
A more broad-based economic profile targeted towards
Relocating low value-added industries
more diversified growth
overseas
Series of cost-cutting measures (including CPF cuts)
Promoting new economic activities to
implemented
become an international business hub
Economy recovered in 1986 (V-shaped growth)
Emphasized capital market development
EDB promoted total business concept with support
and VC (Venture Capital) industry
services of R&D, design, product development, technical Regionalization & globalization
servicing, marketing, distribution and fund management Government-linked companies (GLCs)
to complement hi-tech manufacturing
taking lead (into China, India & ASEAN)
Not to put all eggs in same basket
Grooming promising local companies
Upgrading of local firms through partnering with MNCs
(PLCs) to become regional MNCs (those
Growth triangle of Singapore-Batam-Johor in 1989
with annual turnover >$100m)
Unemployment fell to record low of 1.7% in 1990
Fears of hollowing-out, compounded with
By 1990, Singapore became an NIE (Newly Industralised
Asian financial crisis
Economy, with HK, S. Korea & Taiwan)
Stage 6: Knowledge-based
economy/KBE (>2000)

Key national drivers of economic

growth
Economic Development Board (EDB)
International Enterprise Singapore
(IES)
Jurong Town Corporation (JTC)
SPRING Singapore
Key issues &challenges to
economic future
Structural unemployment
Ageing workforce which is mainly
unskilled
Limitations in water and natural
resources
Limited land availability
Heavy reliance on multi-national
companies
Relatively weak entrepreneurial sector
Development of technological
capabilities
Expansion of external economy to
increase GNP
Heavy reliance on foreign workers in
certain sectors
SINGAPORES DEFENSE
PHILOSOPHY
Built on maintaining and
developing a deterrent
capability, not on the premise of
an existing external threat
Deterrence strategy is
operationalised through Total
Defence (TD)
SOCIAL DEFENCE
To strengthen social cohesion, the
government have implemented
several policies esp. in housing
and education targeted at
achieving this aim of maintaining
and strengthening social
cohesion.
CIVIL DEFENCE
To equip the civilian
population with the ability to
respond in an organised manner
during emergencies.
In event of war, the role of
Civil Defence is to protect
civilian lives, lower the casualty
rate, minimise damage to
property, and pave the way to
normalcy.

Key responses
Characteristics of future
economy
Raising productivity
Making foreign worker
A globalized economy, a key
policies flexible
node in global network,
Raising retirement age to 65
linked to all major economies
years
& emerging regions
Providing continual education A creative & entrepreneurial
and training for workers
nation, taking risk to start
Long term:
new businesses
Intensify internationalisation A diversified economy,
powered by twin engines of
of Spore companies
manufacturing & services
Promote entrepreneurship
Pursue innovation
Singapore companies
Continual restructuring of the
complement MNCs, new startups co-existing with traditional
economy
Enhance human capital
businesses, exploiting new and
innovative ideas

TOTAL DEFENCE

Enunciated by

government in 1984
Concept: To unite all
sectors of society
government, business and
the people in the defense of
the country.

ECONOMIC DEFENCE
To ensure that
Singapores economy will not
collapse during war or under
the cloud of war, so that life
can go on as normally as
possible.
The Civil Resource (CR)
Requisitioning Programme

specifies that the private

sector is expected to share
its material and manpower

resources with the civilian

and military authorities in
times of crisis or war.

Govt. agencies and

private sector required to
stockpile essential items
needed for smooth running of
the country during
emergency.
Improve psychological
defence

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENCE
To develop the collective
will of Singaporeans to stand up
for their rights, to protect what
is theirs and to be left in peace
to progress and prosper in their
own way
Therefore, strengthening
the moral fibre of the
population, which is increasing
in numbers and diversity is key
Operationalised through the
National Education (NE)
programme, focusing on 5
messages:
Singapore is our
homeland. This is where we
belong.
Singapore is worth
defending. We want to keep out
heritage and our way of life.
Singapore can be
defended. United, determined
and well prepared we shall fight
for the safety of our homes and
future of our families and
children.

Key consideration:
Singapores small size,
high polulation density and
close proximity of civilian
residential areas to military
installation expose civilians to
high vulnerability.

Singapore Civil Defence

Force (SCDF) comprises regular,
conscript, reservist and
volunteer personnel.

Conducts peace time

exercises, eg. food, water, and
fuel distribution, blood
collection, etc. so that the
people will react instinctively
and in an orderly manner during
a crisis.
MILITARY DEFENCE

The core of Singapores

deterrent philosophy and
capacity to defeat aggressors if
deterrence fails.
Involves maintaining the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
as an operationally capable
armed force to preserve peace
and security.
Key elements of Singapores
military defence policy:
High defence spending
A system of military
service
Operational readiness for
all key eventualities
Technical superiority over
potential adversaries in terms of
defence systems
Ministry of Defence
(MINDEF) working with other
ministries to develop defences
against non-traditional threats
such as terrorism, cyber attacks
and chemical warfare

Step up National

Education
Tripartite participation
in security exercises

Heighten threat through

mass media/publicity
Undertake more social
& community programs to

foster greater sense of

psychological awareness and
national wellbeing

VULNERABILITIES

We must ourselves defend

Sinpapore. No one else is
responsible for our security.
We can deter others from
attacking us. With Total
Defence, we can live in peace.
Since 1998, Total Defence
Day (15 Feb) (British surrender
of Spore to Japanese in 1942).

STRATEGY AGAINST
TERRORISM
PREVENTION
Singapore as a responsible
global citizen
Successful intelligence coordination
Effective border controls
PROTECTION
Protection of critical
infrastructure and key
installations
Enhanced security at highprofile events
Land transport security
Aviation Security
Maritime security

Relatively small
population sandwiched

between populous
neighbours

Lack of natural
resources

High dependence on
outside world for trade,

water, fuel, food, etc

Singapore and its
territorial waters are entirely
surrounded by the territorial
waters of Indonesia and

Malaysia

Highly dependent on

foreign investment and

sector confidence
RESPONSE
Singapores location in
Conventional attacks
a geopolitically and ethnically

Bombing response
complex, and politically
capabilities
unstable region

Non-conventional attacks

TOTAL DEFENCE
AGAINST
TERORIST ACTS

Enhance security measures

Fight the spread of terrorist and
Strengthen social cohesion &
Tighten Singapores border extremist ideology
religious harmony
control

Encourage Muslim

Set up inter-racial

Regulate movement of
community to self regulate &
Confidence Circles &
strategic goods
monitor teachings of religious
Harmony Circles

Formulate framework to
teachers

Establish a code on
manage info comm during

Encourage all Singaporeans

religious harmony
emergencies
to be vigilant against extremist

Pursue greater cooperation

religious teachings
with international security
agencies

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHASEANS INSTITUTIONAL

EAST ASIAN NATIONS
FRAMEWORK
(ASEAN)
Formed on 8 August 1967 by the Emphasis on concensus method

governments of Singapore,
for decision-making
Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia Loose framework and the
concensus method allows
and Philippines (ASEAN 5) (The
flexibility in accomodating the
Bangkok Declaration)
diversities in political,
economic and social
Objective
backgrounds of the ASEAN 10.
Safeguarding of political and

Key is to be able to deal with

economic security of the
sensitive
issues
without
region
undermining ASEAN harmony
Promotion of economic, social
SHORTCOMINGS

and cultural development of

the region through cooperative
Lack of an integrated decisionprogram
Forum for the resolution of intramaking structure leads to
regional differences
problems of coordination that
erode the effectiveness of the
ASEAN 5 was joined by:
entire machinery

Application
of the concensus
Brunei (1984)
method to all issues and levels
Vietnam (1995)
has reduced effectiveness in
Laos 1997
Myanmar 1997
intra-ASEAN corporation even
Cambodia (1999)
in areas where agreement has
been reached at policy level
The principle of rotation of
ASEAN chairmanship leads to
problems of continuity and
reliance in national secretariats
resulting in the ASEAN
secretariat being an ineffective
outpost instead of the focal
point
Dominant emphasis on national
interest with little ASEAN
community interest
Relies almost entirely on a policy
regime and does not have a
legal regime

KEY CHALLENGES FACING

ASEAN

ASEAN ECONOMIC
COMMUNITY (AEC)
BLUEPRINT
THE ASEAN CHARTER
Together with the signing of the
Objective is to give ASEAN a
ASEAN Charter, the AEC

formal structure and legal

blueprint was also inked by
teeth
ASEAN leaders in Singapore in
The 31-page Charter spells out
Dec 2007

It
is the framework for forging an
how ASEAN can change from a
loose regional grouping to an
ASEAN free trade zone by 2015
It entails the establishment of a
effective and cohesive
single market and production
organisation with clear rules on

base, where goods, services

how decisions should be made
and investments, as well as
and disputes settled
ASEAN leaders will meet twice a
skilled workers, will be able to
year
flow freely across the various

SINGAPORES RELATIONS
WITH THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
USA is the worlds largest superpower and largest economy
Very important to Singapore in
terms of trade, investments,
technology and international
relations
Trade and Investments
US/Singapore Free Trade Area
(USSFTA) established in 2003
Investments by major US
companies in Singapore (e.g.
Exxon-Mobil, GE, GM, Las
Vegas Sands, etc)
Education, Medical and

The ASEAN Way

Because ASEAN relies almost
entirely on a policy regime and
not a legal one, it is the rule of
the bureaucrat and not the rule
of law that governs decision
making and implementation
Security issues
Economic and trade issues
REWRITING THE ASEAN
WAY
In Dec 2005, ASEAN leaders
signed the Kuala Lumpur
Declaration on the
Establishment of the ASEAN
Charter, to turn ASEAN from
an association to a community
of nations.
An Emminent Persons Group
(EPG) was set up with top
representations from each
country to draft a charter
which will underpin ASEAN with
a formal structure and legal
powers.

countries of ASEAN
4 new Coordinating Councils of

After
8 years of preparation, the
Ministers
AEC was declared established
A committee of Permanent
by the leaders of ASEAN on 22
Representatives to be based in
Nov 2015 at their Summit in
Jakarta
Kuala Lumpur
4 Deputies will be appointed to
assist the Secretary-General
monitor the performance of
ASEAN in meeting its pledges
and plans
Establishment of a new Human
Rights body.
The Charter was signed at the
13th ASEAN Summit in
Singapore on 20 Nov 2007
(ASEANs 40th year of
existence.)

Technological collaborations
and strategic alliances
International relations
War on terror
Membership of APEC
Views on Cross-Straits relations,
Middle East, N.Korea

SINGAPORES RELATIONS WITH

CHINA (PRC
China joined the World Trade
Organization in 2000.

GLOBALISATION
The shift toward a more integrated and interdependent world economy
GLOBALISATION OF MARKETS
The merging of distinctly separate national markets into a global marketplace
Falling barriers to cross-border trade have made it easier to sell internationally
Tastes and preferences converge onto a global norm
Firms offer standardized products worldwide creating a world market
Difficulties that arise from the globalization of markets
Significant differences still exist among national markets
Country-specific marketing strategies
Varied product mix
The most global markets are not consumer markets
The most global markets are for industrial goods and materials that serve a universal need the
world over
GLOBALISATION OF PRODUCTION
Refers to sourcing of goods and services from locations around the world to take advantage of
Differences in cost or quality of the factors of production
Labor
Land
Capital
Historically this has been primarily confined to manufacturing enterprises
Increasingly companies are taking advantage of modern communications technology, and
particularly the Internet, to outsource service activities to low-cost producers in other nations
Outsourcing of productive activities to different suppliers results in the creation of products that
are global in nature
Impediments to the globalization of production include
Formal and informal barriers to trade
Barriers to foreign direct investment
Transportation costs
Issues associated with economic risk
Issues associated with political risk

 Globalization has created the need for institutions to help manage, regulate and police the
global marketplace
GATT (1947 1996)
WTO (Since 1996)
IMF (Since 1944)
WORLD BANK (Since 1944)
UNITED NATIONS (Since 1945)