Issue 2

Different factors of diversity:

- Identity
- Socio-cultural diversity ( mix of different nationalities, religions, races and ethnicities )
- Nationality
- Ethnicity
- Socio-economic status

Socio-mobility: The movement of an individual from lower to higher levels of income

Gini-coefficient: measures how income is distributed in a country

Brain drain: MIgration of highly trained or educated people from a specific country to other
countries at the expense of the country where these people originated.

Common space: Provides opportunities for people of different nationalities, races. Etc. to come
together to work, play and live together , sharing common experiences, which is important to
forge SG’s identity as they forge greater cohesiveness among the people.
- NDP day
- National service
- Community centres / HDB

Benefits of living in a diverse society

1. Exchange and appreciation of culture:
Our diverse society allows for many opportunities to interact and learn from people who
have different backgrounds and cultures, this results in the fusion of local and foreign
cultures.
This helps to increase understanding and appreciation among diverse groups,
fostering social harmony
- Fusion food: Nasi Lemak Burger
- Arts/Music: Music collaboration between local and international artists
( Despacito- JB /Luis Fonsi , etc. )

2. Exchange of skills and knowledge

Living in a diverse society will give rise to sharing of skills and knowledge from other
countries, this will help to benefit countries like SG, which is a young country which
heavily relies on manpower.
- School exchanges: students and teachers can learn from their foreign
counterparts
- A STAR funds and supports public research initiatives in SG, working together
with foreign professionals to strengthen research competencies and
collaborations with locals.
- Leads to openness to learn and work with foreign scientists, making significant
discoveries in SG.
 - Disadvantages of living in a diverse society
1. Stereotypes, prejudices, misconceptions and discrimination.
- Xenophobic people, eg. Asian Lives Matter movement.
- Covid 19 has led to many americans forming misconceptions about asians,
generalizing them as people of china. → Violent attacks on these asians.

2. Competition for resources

- Tension arising from the availability of opportunity, infrastructure and resources.
Locals vs foreigners tension, availability of jobs affected, possible bias towards foreign
talents in the work industry.

Assimilation ( France ) Integration ( SG )

A policy where immigrants are expected to A policy where immigrants can retain their
adopt the beliefs and practices of the majority unique identities while forging common
group in the host country ground with the groups living in the host
country

French government introduced assimilation
policies to education, employment and
naturalisation processes. ( help immigrants
develop basic knowledge about life in the
country )
Each HDB estate must fill predetermined
percentages of various ethnic groups under
the ethnic integration policy implemented in
1989, aiming to prevent the formation of
ethnic enclaves.

Immigrants will not be able to retain their
unique identities, this may upset them as they
will feel a weakened sense of belonging in
the host country.
- Muslims not allowed to wear their
religious clothing in public
They also have to attend tests about France’s
history and the French language to attain
their citizenship status
- It is beneficial in a way, that
immigrants and the French will be
able to have easier interaction as they
will speak the same language, and
share the same way of life with same
ideals.
This ensures that people of different
ethnicities are able to communicate with one
another using a common language
( English is SG’s main language, which is
also widely used around the world ) and
common space, removing any possible
misunderstandings. People are able to
preserve their own cultural heritage, helping
others to educate about their own culture,
increasing likelihood of interaction with
other ethnic groups and understanding,
strengthening social cohesion between them.
Greater sense of belonging in the country.
Shared responsibility approach ( SG ) Government financed approach ( Sweden
)

Government intervenes through the provision Government provides substantial subsidies

of basic healthcare and shares the costs of
some aspects of healthcare
- Lower to middle income groups in
Singapore receive up to 80 percent
subsidies in C class wards of public
hospitals, the rest of the amount for
healthcare service will be paid by
individuals.
- Financial assistance from the
government as well. CHAS card
scheme
and services for most of the healthcare
needs of citizens.
- Some healthcare services are free.
- Sweden's healthcare system is based
on the fundamental belief that all
citizens should have access to
healthcare regardless of background
or socio-economic status.
- Strong intervention by govt to
provide healthcare

Ensures that the individual has ability to pay
for their own healthcare needs, effective way
in managing healthcare as government is not
over burdened on having to look after the
citizens’ healthcare needs by paying for a
portion of the cost based on needs.
- Ensure that the government continues
to have enough to provide help to
those who need it most as finances are
prudently managed.
- No one will be denied access to the
healthcare they need
- Sustainable in the long run
- Guarantees universal health
coverage for everyone. Lower
income citizens will not feel
marginalised for not having enough to
pay the bills
- Ensures citizens are not
disadvantaged receiving healthcare
treatment when the need arises.
- May not be sustainable in the long
run, free healthcare is provided at the
expense of paying very high taxes, tax
burden will increasingly fall on a
smaller group of working citizens.

Market-based approach ( USA )

Government give citizens the freedom to decide how much they want to pay for their healthcare
needs, allowing the market to determine the provision of services.

- NO single national policy guiding healthcare in USA

- Private and public hospitals provide healthcare services to americans
- NO intervention by US govt
- Middle and higher income groups obtain medical insurance as part of their employment
package.
- Medical insurance premiums are higher as insurance companies charge higher to make
profit, not everyone can afford it.
- Heavily dependent on the income class of individuals, lower income classes suffer more
as they may choose to not visit hospitals and clinics due to its’ unaffordability.