社会冲突缓解和政府主导的社区自治:新加坡经验

Social Conflict Relief and Community Self-governance led by Government： Experience from Singapore

尽管新加坡在社会和谐和社会秩序方面享有国际声誉,然而新加坡的成功得之不易。新加坡是一个多种族和多宗教共生的社会,自取得自治地位以来,新加坡经历了一系列非常严重的社会骚乱。缓解社会冲突,建立和维护社会秩序,是新加坡的基本国策,国家发展的重中之重。面对独特的地缘和外部政治经济要素的挑战,新加坡政府设计和采纳了一系列制度和管理方法缓解社会冲突,促进社区和谐。在对历史发展进行回顾之后,本文对新加坡的社区治理的制度建设进行剖析,指出政府主导的社区自治管理模式是新加坡社区治理成功的关键。但是随着政治、社会、经济的发展,新加坡的社会和谐也面临新的挑战,未来任重道远。

Although Singapore enjoys its international reputation in social harmony, according to a variety of international rankings on governance, its success cannot be taken for granted. As a city-state located in the Southeast Asia near the equator, Singapore is a multi-ethnic and religious society. Right after its independence, following several serious social unrests and turmoils, ameliorating social conflicts, establishing and maintaining social order became paramount important for its survival and nation building. Facing challenges imposed by its unique external geographic and political situations, complicated ethnic and religious demographics and colonial history, Singapore government designed and adopted a series of institutions and community management practices to alleviate social conflicts and promote social harmony. In this article, I introduce Singapore government community management model. I anatomize the model subsequently by introducing and analyzing institutions and management strategies designed and carried out by Singapore government in encouraging community self-governance, cultivating community vibrancy and harmony, while keeping strong government control by providing financial assistance, outcome-oriented performance management and grassroots leaders＇ certification. In the conclusion, I will discuss challenges Singapore is facing now and future policy directions Singapore may need to consider.