The Idea of Nation-State and Nation-Building in Singapore: An Analysis

This essay provides an analysis of nation-building in Singapore, exploring the multifaceted nature of the nation-state concept within its specific context. It delves into the historical background, highlighting the influence of British control and the subsequent socio-economic and cultural factors that shaped the nation's development. The essay examines the complexities of ethnic conflicts, economic stagnation, and the impact of industrialization on job profiles. Furthermore, it discusses the nuances of post-colonial nation-building, emphasizing the changing identities of Singaporean nationals and the challenges of reconciling diverse ethnic aspirations. The paper also explores the interplay between state-building and nation-building, emphasizing the challenges faced by secondary states like Singapore in bridging the gap between the ruling elite and the consciousness of the people. Ultimately, the essay concludes by summarizing the impact of governance and societal changes on Singapore's political and social systems, highlighting the unique aspects of cultural and racial harmony while acknowledging the inherent limitations and peculiarities of the nation-building process, particularly the top-down approach to synthesizing Singapore's history.

Running head: NATION-BUILDING AND THE NUANCES
Nation-building and the nuances
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

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Introduction
The aim of the paper is to analyze the issue of the idea of nation state and nation building
within the context of Singapore. This paper will dwell into the idea state and the nuances
attached to the nation-state. The idea of nation-state and the nation is a complex entity, in general
perception it is the political identity with conjoining with the cultural identity of the nation
(Bendix, 2017). It is the source of the sovereign power of the state. This idea of nation state goes
back to the time of the formation of the Westphalia system. Dating back to the treaty of
Westphalia, it can be discussed that the source of modern nation can be found in this state system
(Hill et al., 2013).
Discussion
In case of the idea of the state it is to be noted that it is complex and subjected to multiple
interpretations. From sociologists to the political scientist, the idea of state has been defined in
multiple ways. The idea of state has been presented by the Max Weber, Durkheim and Karl
Marx. It is to be noted that the idea of state is differently defined by both Weber and Durkheim
(Beng-Huat et al., 2014). While the idea of the nation state is intricately linked to the idea of
modernity in the West, the relation between the civil society and state is complex within the
understanding of state in complex for Durkheim and Weber. In case of Singapore which has been
subjected to the British control for long has gone through the similar process of nation building
like all the Asian developing countries. However it is not to deny the fact that the idea of
modernity and state building within the context of Singapore included some of the peculiarities
(Beng-Huat et al., 2014). It is to be mentioned in this regard that for over 100 years, Singapore

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was under the control of the British and the formation of nation state has undergone a process of
socio-economic and cultural factors. With their merger with Malaysia, there have been issues
with the ethnic conflicts. Post independence of the state the, nation building process was further
complicated by the issues like the economic stagnation and unemployment. It is important to
note at this regard that the process of development of the nation state have not seen the same path
for all the nations. It has been observed that the issue of economic stagnation and unemployment
(Bendix, 2017). Moreover the process of industrialization as a result of the post-colonial
development accentuated the process of new job profiles for the people with less expertise and
skills (Hill et al., 2013). It is to be noted that the idea of new nation in the post-colonial phase is
more complex than it appears, there are nuances attached to the idea of the nation (Kwoket al.,
1998).
At this juncture, it is significant to note that the Bicentennial commemoration of 2019
reflected upon the rich history of the nation where the government has reflected in some of the
major sectors of the economy and it is in this regard the need for considering the rich history of
the nation has come up within the national forum (Channel NewsAsia, 2019). The idea behind
these events is to look into the factors that shaped the rich history and the challenges it posed to
the formation of the new Singapore. It has argued by the scholar that the process of restructuring
of the nation in terms of the education system and the community included number of challenges
that are peculiar to the country itself (Zaccheus, 2019). It has been observed overtime that the
idea of Singaporean nationals have been changing especially among the population who are
migrating abroad which can also be attributed to the development of the nation in the phase of
post-colonial development. Hence it can be argued that the process of nation building is the
complex process of taking into consideration of the aspirations of the people of different

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ethnicity. It also leads to the growth of contradiction of the identities and the conflict of interest
of the traditional, modern, ethnic and national and indigenous and foreign. It is further
complicated by the process of homogenization of the multiple identities even though it is marked
by the process of inherent difficulties (Hill et al., 2013). The process of primary state building
started in Europe between the periods of 12 to 19th centuries changed the process of cultural
consciousness and homogeneity of the citizens. However what is interesting here is that unlike
the process of nation building in the Europe, countries like Singapore which went through the
process secondary state formation has failed to bridge the gap between the ruling elite and the
consciousness of the people and it has been argued by scholar that there is a need to bridge the
gap between the secondary state could fulfill the process their international roles (Strayer et al.,
2017). This refers to the case of the present tussle between the two contending concepts of
nation-building and state –building, while the former focuses on the issue of national identity
while the later refers to the process formation of the institutions of state (Bendix, 2017).
However what is important here is to consider is that there are number of challenges these
secondary states have gone through. In case of Singapore, the process of nation-building
associated with the state-building has contributed number of challenges and issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion it can be summed up that the post-independent governments of Singapore,
the system of governance along with the societal changes have plunged into the new system.
There have been number of consequences both in the social and political system. This new state
in the process of making can be contributed to the process of cultural and racial harmony has
proved to be exceptional. Regardless of ethnic diversity, political ideology, choice and

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circumstances in history have shaped and transformed the idea of the new nation. However it is
not to deny that the fact that the process of nation building has certain inherent limitations and
peculiarities. The widening gap is the result of the initiation of the process of nation building
being imposed externally. Hence it can be argued that the rich history of nation building within
the context of Singapore, the process of top-down synthesizing of the history of Singapore tells
us that there is a need to evaluate and analyze the issue from the perspective of socio-economic
and political status quo to consider the nuances of nation-building for the colonial countries.

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References
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