Social capital in Singapore : the power of network diversity
Bibliographic Information
Social capital in Singapore : the power of network diversity
Vincent Chua, Gillian Koh, Ern Ser Tan and Drew Shih
（Politics in Asia series）
Routledge, 2021
Available at / 4 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Summary: "How can social cohesion be achieved in a meritocratic and multicultural global city-state? Meritocracy poses a paradox: integrating groups on one hand through frameworks of equal treatment and opportunity regardless of race, language or religion, but also segregating them through academic sorting, unequal rewards for merit, elite identification and bonding then, after a generation, social stratification. Distinctive circles, differentiating social elites from non-elites emerge. The remedy the authors propose is network diversity: the deliberate and organic forming of ties across class and other social boundaries. This social mixing, forged in social infrastructure such as schools, workplaces, and voluntary associations pays off by producing the collective goods of national identity and trust. In particular, they analyse the importance of developing bridging forms of social capital built on social relationships. An insightful read for scholars and practitioners in public policy and social network..."
Description and Table of Contents
Description
How can social cohesion be achieved in a meritocratic and multicultural global city-state?
Meritocracy poses a paradox: On one hand, it integrates individuals through frameworks of equal treatment, equal justice and opportunity regardless of race, language or religion. On the other hand, individuals are then segregating through academic sorting, they are rewarded based on credentials and performance which also results in elite identification and bonding. After a generation, without mitigation action, social stratification can result. Distinctive circles differentiating social elites from non-elites, the professional classes from non-professional classes emerge.
The remedy the authors propose is network diversity which is the organic forming of ties across class and other social boundaries built on deliberate policies, programmes and platforms designed to facilitate that. This social mixing, forged in social infrastructure such as schools, workplaces, and voluntary associations pays off by producing the collective goods of national identity and trust. This hypothesis has been tested in the case of Singapore society and the empirical results from the research on the power of network diversity and bridging social capital are found in this volume.
An insightful read for scholars and practitioners in public policy and social network analysis looking to understand the challenges faced by and the experiences that have emerged from the case of Singapore with its multicultural and cosmopolitan setting.
Table of Contents
1. Nation Building In Singapore-One Tie At A Time 2. The Diversity Challenge 3. Measuring The Network 4. Emerging Class Circles Amid Fading Racial Lines 5. Inclusive Networks And The Social Infrastructure That Facilitate Them 6. It Takes A Network: Network Diversity And The Link To National Identity 7. Blending Circles: Policy Levers That Enhance Social Mixing
by "Nielsen BookData"