My initial reaction to the announcement of the formation of the Association of Bloggers Singapore was something along the lines of Huh? But I also absolutely agree with Aaron on how ABS started out on the wrong foot, especially the quote that he singled out. The tone (dunno about the intent) of the post was, well, rather adversarial.
Most Europeans look upon association as a weapon which is to be hastily fashioned and immediately tried in the conflict. A society is formed for discussion, but the idea of impending action prevails in the minds of all those who constitute it... In America the citizens who form the minority associate in order, first, to show their numerical strength and so to diminish the moral power of the majority; and, secondly, to stimulate competition and thus to discover those arguments that are most fitted to act upon the majority; for they always entertain hopes of drawing over the majority to their own side, and then controlling the supreme power in its name.Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Book I, Ch 12:
I suppose the ABS's self-introduction had been more sweetness and light, the response might have been more muted. Anyhow, regardless of all the flames, criticisms and brickbats, it's nice to see that no one really attacked their right to associate.
Wherever at the head of some new undertaking you see the government in France, or a man of rank in England, in the United States you will be sure to find an association.
He might have added: When, in Singapore, Gahmen form something, they comprain interference in their lives. When prominent Singaporeans cobble together some random group, they cry elitism. When ordinary folks do the same, lots of other people laugh and say they will never amount to anything.
When the members of a community are allowed and accustomed to combine for all purposes, they will combine as readily for the lesser as for the more important ones; but if they are allowed to combine only for small affairs, they will be neither inclined nor able to effect it. It is in vain that you will leave them entirely free to prosecute their business on joint-stock account: they will hardly care to avail themselves of the rights you have granted to them; and after having exhausted your strength in vain efforts to put down prohibited associations, you will be surprised that you cannot persuade men to form the associations you encourage.
This paragraph always floats up in my mind whenever some Minister or other complains that young Singaporeans are apathetic. But, contra Tocqueville, Singapore does have plenty of Government-sponsored/approved organizations like RCs, CCCs, PA, or my favourite bugbear, the PCF with its sprawling network of childcare cum education centres. These have not unsizeable membership numbers and give succor, as a source of real grassroots boots/shoes/slippers on the ground, to Das Partei itself. Their importance to the PAP is recognized by the Workers' Party which proposed to abolish them in their 2006 Manifesto (4.D.1). Even some US/EU-designated terror groups know that, lots of internet propaganda aside, they need to provide schools, clinics and other social services to build popular support and win hearts and minds.
Comments (1)
"He might have added: When, in Singapore, Gahmen form something, they comprain interference in their lives. When prominent Singaporeans cobble together some random group, they cry elitism. When ordinary folks do the same, lots of other people laugh and say they will never amount to anything."
Well said. I couldn't have said it better, especially the last line.
Posted by Aaron Ng | February 3, 2009 7:12 PM