Policy Legitimation and Government's Interest in Singapore Events

This essay delves into the significance of policy legitimation for festivals and events in Singapore, analyzing the government's substantial involvement and its multifaceted interests in this sector. It explores the socio-economic, cultural, and psychological considerations driving government engagement, including the pursuit of public good, economic returns, and the mitigation of market failures. The essay examines the definition and concept of public policy, emphasizing its role in shaping the event management sector and facilitating the glocalization process. Key arguments include the importance of legitimation for economic benefits, cultural identity, and global positioning, particularly in light of challenges such as Western cultural influences and economic dependence. The essay also discusses the consequences of a lack of legitimation, the importance of SWOT analysis for identifying areas of focus, and the need for continuous evaluation and strategic planning to optimize the benefits of events for tourism development. It concludes by highlighting key challenges, such as the impact of Western Culture and the destruction of heritage sites, and reiterates the importance of well-planned and legitimized events for tourism, tourist satisfaction, and overall economic prosperity.

ESSAY: The relevance of policy
legitimation for Festival and Events

Government’s Interest in Events and Festivals
This essay explores the involvement and interest of the government in festivals and
special events across the country. It reflects the extent and nature of involvement and also
investigates each activity by purpose, reasons for the government’s engagement. According to
Foley, & et.al. (2013), reasons for the involvement of the government in planned events include
the perceived socioeconomic and cultural consideration of public good, equity on social terms,
ROI, the efficiency of all the associated sectors, psychological benefits, and mitigating market
failures. In the final part of this essay, a new paradigm is discussed, including specific
recommendations on how the sustainable event’s paradigm through public policy can be
achieved.
Figure 1: Classification of Events
(Source: Foley, &et.al. 2013)
Main Objectives
The main aim of this research is to reveal the emphasis of policies in festivals and events
of Singapore so that it could assist in economic development strategy; the same can be done
through evaluating the policies used by the government rather than to access the extent of the
objectives achieved. As per Foley &et.al. (2015), the worth and impact of an event are evaluated
by the Government through a triple‐bottom‐line (TBL) approach. Each of the elements of TBL

(economic, social/cultural and environmental) along with the probable objectives and associated
policy initiatives to be taken are suggested.
Need for Policy and Legitimating the sector of Event Management
In accordance with Getz & et.al. (2016), it has been argued that the nation’s economic
stability has been attributed to the growth in the festivals and events sector in Singapore. This
has provided the sector with great opportunity to enrich the cultural life of the country. The
ideologies of economic culture are very well reflected in the country’s glocalization process, in
which the global activity is courted actively by the locals, as per the directions of the country’s
policy for festivals and special events. Policies which symbolize this phenomenon include
various variants which specify city as ‘eventful city’ which have capitalised global events,
suggesting a ‘localisation of globality’. As in case of a free exhibition at Singapore Philatelic
Museum; a known place where children can have weekend fun and event relating to Sing Jazz
presents Gregory Porter which provides charm to Singapore through his soulful voice. Thus, the
policy related to this sector is especially significant given the economic benefits which the events
and festivals bring to the Nation as a means to realize the objective of the glocalisation process
formulated by the country.
Figure 2: General View of Different Perspectives of Events
(Source: Getz & et.al. 2016)

Main Arguments
Definition of Public Policy
According to the words of Lauermann (2014), a public policy may be defined as
principled guidelines to the actions undertaken by the branches of the state’s administrative
executive with regard to some addressed issues in a manner which is regarded as consistent as
per the law and institutional traditions. The base of public policy comprises of national laws and
regulations. Further, it also includes both legal interpretations and regulations generally
authorized by the operating legislation. The strength if any public policy is recognized when it
efficiently solves problems it was addressed for, serves the purpose of justice, supports other
government institutions and policies, and encourages active participation of all citizens.
Concept of legitimation in terms of public policy
As per the words of Malcolm Foley& et.al. (2015), the main concept for the policy
formulated for events such as Singapore Grand Prix and Asia Fight Championship 2017 which
comprises a new concept of uniting different nations and providing a platform for showcasing
their skills; the same include the following aspects-
• The present and future perception of events and festivities in Singapore
• Formulating strategies for promoting Singapore as Asia’s event capital.
• Reducing distinctions between issues which are multi-racial and multicultural promoting
festivity in the country.
• Imparting a true value to the Singaporean identity.
• Placing the importance or role of local culture of Singapore in the global map
• Describing the role of events like sports and arts in making the country a global player in
the worldwide event’s sector.
• Marketing Singapore as the link between international events headed in the East and the
West.
• The importance of local events in forming the cultural identity of Singapore and the
promoting it globally.
Why Legitimation of Event Sector is Considered Important
According to the opinion of Malcolm Foley& et.al., every country that wants to become
an ultimate destination for heading events must have a policy that optimizes the possible benefits

of derived by them. In addition, there is a necessity of constant monitoring along with an
adaptation of strategies for the tourism associated with the events. The event such as Sand for
Singapore Charity Festival at Marina Bay Sands and Speak show fest are responsible for the
development of related strategy in a direction that establishes overall objectives of the industry
dealing with various related issues. By perceiving all the possible outcomes of events, it is clear
that the wide variety of scope for economic and social benefits for the country. Therefore, the
policymakers must consider events as a valuable “tool” for the tourism development and thereby
adopt a long-term approach for planning and develop which is strategic to event tourism in order
to grasp the full potential of the country.
Key Crises of Legitimation relating to Events
As per the opinion of Morgenbesser (2017), the political regime in Singapore has
maintained its rigid position. However, the economic and social goals like the legitimacy of
policy have still not achieved a major authoritarian stance in the country. This has contributed to
the development of various shared values in the country. The national survival also achieved the
stability; however, the social progress has still not gained its statute; the reason behind the same
is the absence of required essential policies. During the 90s era, the government was against the
Western Culture, as it immensely affected the youth of Singapore. This was mainly because the
country lacked its legitimacy in social progress like that of events and festivals. Thus, the impact
of Western Culture was detrimental to the citizens of Singapore. It is then that various initiatives
were taken to counteract the global influence of western culture by promoting the events and
festivals of the country through the “Glocalisation process” to reduce the chances of Western
decadence that could infuse into the cultures and lifestyles of the Singaporeans.
Consequences of Lack of legitimation on events
It is great social good to have legitimacy in every sector. According to the views of Rolf
Franken Berger, most of the individuals prefer to associate with something which is powerful
rather than self-interested; thus the Sociological and psychological factors stress its importance
for human happiness. In this case, legitimacy may result in more interested citizens in the events
and festivals undertaken by the country, rather than being influenced by the Western Culture.
The same is possible only if efficient policies exist regarding organization and development of
events; so that they could attract people in an appropriate manner. However, the importance of

legitimacy does not only end with the prescribed inherent value. Instead, legitimacy has many
other instrumental benefits that permeate many features of political life.
Where and when legitimacy might not be important
For the purpose of deciding the areas of legitimation, the planners should undertake a
SWOT analysis in relation to the events. Which have maximum potential must be considered for
legitimation. This may help the country to identify what events can offer maximum
effectiveness. As per the views of Woo (2016), every country has its own limitations regarding
the kinds of event it can host, which further depends upon accommodation availability and
tourists’ preferences.
Manner in Legitimating relating to Events could be enhanced
If the evaluation is seen as the method of judging whether or not there must be
interventions from the government, the selection of evaluation techniques is an important base
for legitimating policy for events (The Role of Events in Tourism Development, 2015). Using
the method of innovation, it is important to analyze the interrelation of legitimation of policies
regarding input, throughput, and output. One of the most pertinent forces of economic growth is
innovation. The objectives of policy must be broken down into measurable outcomes that can be
easily quantified using statistical techniques. The policy should support additional benefits and
give the best ROI for the public. After the vision and goals of the event policy are formulated,
the authorities should undertake an appraisal of the available resources. Resources represent the
country’s potential and their analysis may be used in the development and marketing of
country’s events.

Figure 3: Legitimacy of Public Policy
(Source: The Role of Events in Tourism Development, 2015)
Key Challenges regarding Legitimation in Events
In the initial days the major challenges for the legitimation of policy regarding events
were the widespread influence of Western Culture and huge unemployment in the country; with
this, the authorities had other major issues to deal with instead of event policy legitimation
(Zhang & et.al. 2017). Currently, the economy of Singapore is largely dependent upon the event
tourism and any downturn in the sector may pose great difficulty to the nation. Singapore’s
attraction base has severe implications for the events sector development. The destruction of
heritage sites for purpose of redevelopment in the late 90shad a harmful impact on the potential
tourism due to the weak heritage attractions base. Another major challenge remains the
conventional power available to the country.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the events undertaken in a country should be thoroughly planned
and developed serving as a medium for the further development of the destination. It is important
that the events are planned and structured considering the fact that country's event provides
recognition globally which results in greater satisfaction and loyalty of tourist which is an
important source of economy for Singapore. The more distinguished events a country has, the
more it attracts the tourists. The key to their success lays in the proper legitimation of policies
related to events keeping in mind the challenges. The essay reveals a noteworthy level of the
festival and special events taking place across the country, which is supported by the government

basically for a perceived socio-cultural benefit.The essay reflects the consequences of the lack of
legitimation of events and tourism and the extent of authoritarianism regime in the country.

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