Motion: Democracy is essential to the establishment of the good life
In Singapore.

1. Our Stand: Democracy IS ESSENTIAL to the establishment of the good
life in Singapore.
Our group will show how democracy must be part of the process leading
to the good life in Singapore, how the good life would not occur under other political systems and /or the absence of democracy i.e., why
Authoritarianism and Marxism would not lead to the establishment of the
Good life.
As First Speaker, I would define the following terms in the motion:
-Democracy
-Essential
-Establishment
-Good life
2. Definitions of the terms in the motion:
a. Democracy
b. Essential
c. Establishment
d. Good Life
3a) Democracy
Lipson's definition of Democracy:
1. The rights to resistance.
Govt. is the functionary of the state.
When people give authority to the govt, they do not necessarily forgo
All their rights, as advocated by Hobbes. Therefore, people have the right of recall.
2. The govt is accountable for the governed and the pp have the rights
to question and check on the power of the govt.
3. Legitimacy of the govt is based on the legal morality to rule, by
the mutual consent of the people
4. A state has a constitution means that it possesses written set of
documents that explains the offices of the state, states the ends of
the state, and customises the laws. This is to be differentiated with a
state that practices constitutionalism.
By CONSTITUTIONALISM, meaning:
a. The rule of law as an instrument to restraint the govt
- People are only penalised by known laws
- People cannot be punished in retrospective.
- the right for fair and open trial
- the right to independent judiciary
b. Govt acts to create conditions for civil liberty
c. Balance of power between govt and citizens (with limits to the power of the pp in terms of the limits of the check and balance, so long as it doesn't cripple the workings of the govt.)
d. The existence of free and fair elections.
5. More than one party to contest for power.
Some theories, which would be elaborated upon by other members: John
Stuart Mills
3b)Essential: that which is necessary, constituting a thing's
essence; INDISPENSABLE.(Oxford Dictionary)
This implies that democracy is an integral component, constituent or
Element of the path to good life of which, in the absence of democracy, Good Life in any society is IMPOSSIBLE to achieve.
3c)Establishment: setting up, foundation, institution
(the Oxford Dictionary, the Oxford Thesaurus)
As such, it means that good life has yet been fully fulfilled in
Singapore for all Singaporeans. The point of this debate is to show how through democracy, we can achieve the good life in Singapore and for all Singaporeans. We will also show how other political systems and ideologies would not bring about this Good Life for you.
3d) Good Life:Some features of the Good Life in our definition for this debate; they are by no means, exhaustive.
1. Liberty
2. Equality
3.Control over Government
In conclusion, I have shown to you the basis for our debate, the
Definitions for the terms in the motion and proven how democracy leads to the good life.
My teammates would next expound on the various issues in this debate. My second speaker would demonstrate the link between Democracy and the
Good life. My third speaker would present to you the current state of
Democracy in Singapore. My fourth speaker would present the current state and level of the good life in Singapore. My fifth speaker would demonstrate why alternative ideologies and systems of Authoritarianism and Marxism would not function in Singapore and my final speaker would do a summation of all that has been discussed here.

2nd Speaker:

Objective of the Second Speaker: To establish the undying link between
democracy and Good Life.

The Good Life Concept Revisited
What exactly is the Good Life? Having a good life not only means having
satisfied our material needs and wants. Besides that, having a good
life also signifies the self-actualisation, or a holistic development of the individual as a spiritual entity. By achieving Good Life, we assume that people are in a so-called 'happy' state of mind. However, this should not be confused with a 'contented' state of mind.

Definition of Key Terms:
1. Liberty: Basically, Liberty is made up of the primary freedoms or rights of thought, action and assembly. Examples of such freedoms include freedom of speech, press, and association. With these basic liberties found in a democracy, an individual can easily achieve the desired good life by pursuing his / her own rights.
2. Equality Quoting Mill from his writings "Liberty", liberties or freedom stems from Equality and vice versa in democracies.
(Equality before the voting system: one-man-one-vote system)
(Equality before the eyes of the law)
3. Control of Government
This means that the source of authority lies with the people and not with the ruling party. The people continue to wield the right to recall and the right to vote.
3rd Speaker:

4th Speaker:

Continuing from the third speaker's point that there is no true
democracy in Singapore, I would demonstrate that Singaporeans do not really have a good life.
In the economic sense,
a) Singaporeans have largely satisfied basic physical needs.
b) However, one consequence of this material satisfaction has been
economic obsession and a narrow definition of success in terms of paper
qualifications and wealth. We have neglected the spiritual aspect of a good life in the pursuit for economic excellence.
c) Hence, economically, many Singaporeans may say that they have a good
life. But in terms of a good life with basic liberties e.g. freedom of
expression etc, secured, we cannot say the same thing.
A society that is much driven by material wealth:
1)For many, definition of success mainly limited to paper qualifications and material wealth
2)In S21 survey, to the question that if there is a conflict
between interests/passion and money, 60% of respondents said they would prefer a high salary rather than enjoyment compared to15% who would sacrifice pay for interests.
3)Moreover, many Singaporeans who are inclined towards pursuits
such as poetry or dance often suppress these interests and go for the norm instead. The result is that they are not doing what they are best in and this energy spent in conforming leads to the lack of dynamism and the dearth of buzz.
.4)narrow definition of success has led to an unforgiving society.
For example, the present system of streaming in schools has condemned many students to be labelled as under-achievers and this stigma stays with them for a long time.
Hence, the drive for economic excellence has compromised the
spiritual and psychological aspect of the people.

Another important reason why we do not have a good life is that we are
doubtful whether we have true liberties of speech and expression. Many
are not ready to exercise their freedom of speech, liberty and assembly
because of the fear of negative consequences that may result from it.
a) The S21 committee for the issue of active citizenship has found,
from feedback of Singaporeans that though there is more freedom of speech, there is still an element of fear when it comes to voicing their views, especially alternative views that are non-supportive of the government.
b) This element of fear is brought about by many factors.
For example, out-of bounds markers for discussion are not spelt out
clearly for the people and people hold back voicing their views for
fear of the black-book syndrome and laws like the ISA gives the government the authority to detain a person without trial. Hence, freedom of expression is curtailed due to the fear of persecution.
· Many are fearful of the black-book syndrome where alternative views
voiced would meet with harsh responses from the government. A well-known example of this is the articles published in the Straits Times in 1994 by Catherine Lim which were mildly critical of the authoritarian style of the government and which the Prime Minister castigated.
· According to the 1999 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
released by the US Department of State, it stated that "the Constitution provides for freedom of speech and expression but permits official restrictions on these rights, and in practice, the Government significantly restricts freedom of speech and of the press".
· John Stuart Mill had stated that the suppression of liberty is only
justified in the case of barbarians provided it leads to their
improvement. Surely, Singaporeans have achieved a definite standard of living compared to the time when the British colonised us and suppression of our liberty is entirely unjustifiable.
How can we claim to have a good life with the prevalence of this
Element of fear?

5th Speaker:

WHY AN AUTHORITATIVE MODEL WON'T WORK TOWARDS ESTABLISHING THE GOOD
LIFE
A) The rule of the elite through force rather than consent of the
Masses. Here, I'll talk about the impetus of democracy being in the ruling residing in the people being taken away. The chasm created between bureaucracy and the people as a result.
B) The discordance between the interests of the state and the people
Authority is the embodiment of reason; a person obeys if he has
Convincing reasons to do so. Therefore, authority is coerced through the promise of economic prosperity etc. the problem lies with the passive acceptance of authority; when the will of the state might not be synchronic with the interests of the people.
C) Suppression of dissent
Democracy: the state as a product of dissent and differences; only
Through the people allowed to make their own minds and express it w/o
Intimidation or corruption can the general will for the interests of the people be determined.
D) Loss of privileges of citizenship
Haven't really worked on this yet, but will probably touch a little on
The issue of citizenship, liberty and equality.

Critique of the Marxist model of social democracy
First I'll establish the relationship bet. Marxism and communism, and
socialism as the transitory stage.
Then I'll touch a little on how Marxist doctrine can still be founded
In most modern political ideologies e.g. class consciousness and all that crap

My main criticism will be:
A) (in relations to Lenin's party vanguard) No mechanism to ensure the
Party remains accountable to the interests of the masses
Challenges Lenin's revolution in which the revolutionary party defines
The interests of the proletariats through' 'party vanguard'. In other
words, who will ensure the interests of the masses are adequately defined?
Maybe bring in Stalin's dictatorship.

6th Speaker:
My group through our earlier 5 speakers has defined the good life,
Which does not include only economical aspects but also the spiritual
aspects.
The spiritual side of self-actualisation is needed not to only affirm
The individual of his existence, but also is in the natural liberty of man.
According to Mill, each person with the faculty of thought also has the
right to freedom of speech, expression and action. He also mentioned
that without opposing arguments, there will be no consensus between the
people and the government and the decision made might be biased, untrue and not the best one taken.

Thus to achieve this spiritual satisfaction of the people, the path to
Reach this, would be through democracy.

We have shown that other forms of political system will not work in the
Singaporean climate, where the economic aspect is already fulfilled and
public goods are slowly being supplied by privately owned and managed
companies. With the economic system has largely been subject to market
forces; this might also symbolise the time where the political system
is turned more liberal.
Because in the future, where challenges, not only political but
Economical lay ahead in the global economy future, the airing of opposing views is necessary to help make the many socio-economical decisions which until now is largely influenced and made by the PAP government.

Factor in the impossibility of other political systems like Marxism to
Come into the play of Singapore, there is a need to liberalise the system also to the increasing awakening of young Singaporeans to the realisation of their liberties and the attempts to broaden it.

Thus, my group firmly believes that democracy is the way to good life
In Singapore.