Squaring the circle: The President as a symbol of multiracialism and national unity

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

12-2019

Abstract

This chapter considers the rationale for minority representation in the office of the Elected President. It examines the official discourse on the Head of State as a symbol of multiracialism and national unity. Institutional design plays a fundamental role in the attainment of constitutional ideals and imperatives and the well-being of societies such as the promotion of the rule of law. Proponents of electoral integration champion the creation of an electoral system that is configured to generate inducements for moderate behaviour and cross-cutting loyalties. To reiterate, electoral integration aims at nurturing a system of healthy political competition that also facilitates the development of cross-cutting cleavages and encourages inter-ethnic cooperation while making racial chauvinism and extremism politically counter-productive. The Malay Community Sub-Committee, a constituent part of the Community Committee, will determine if the applicant does indeed belong to the Malay community.

Keywords

President, minority representation, Singapore

Discipline

Asian Studies | President/Executive Department | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Public Law and Legal Theory

Research Areas

Public Interest Law, Community and Social Justice

Publication

Constitutional change in Singapore: Reforming the Elected President

Editor

Jaclyn L. Neo, & Swati Jhaveri

First Page

149

Last Page

177

ISBN

9781315161884

Identifier

10.4324/9781315161884-7

Publisher

Routledge

City or Country

London

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315161884-7

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