Social Studies Chapter 2

• Representative democracy


  A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to form a government to make decisions on their behalf
• Representative democracy


  • Citizens elect people from among them to make decisions
  • Social contract between citizens and government - citizens give up some of their decision-making rights, trusting the elected representatives to make good decisions on their behalf
  • Government's power is limited
• What a representative democracy is NOT
• How Singapore practices representative democracy

  • Citizens vote for political representatives to govern the country on their behalf
  • Every adult Singaporean has the right to vote
  • Voting is compulsory and every voter is entitled to one vote in each election
• Why it is important in a representative democracy to ensure that elections are free and fair
• Branches of government in a representative democracy

  • Legislature
  • Executive
  • Judiciary
• Functions of the Legislature

  • Makes and passes laws
  • In Singapore, before a law is passed, it is known as a bill, which is debated in Parliament and must receive the President's agreement to become part of the law in Singapore
  • The Bill is to be scrutinized by the PCMR
• Functions of the Executive


  • Enforces and implements the laws
  • Formulates and implements government policies in areas such as education, healthcare, housing and transport
  • The work of the Executive is supported by various ministries and statutory boards
• Functions of the Judiciary


  • Administers justice by interpreting and applying laws made by the Legislature
  • Makes formal judgements on disputes between individuals and on those between individuals and the government
• How the branches of government work together in a representative democracy

  • Legislature passed the Covid 19 Act making mask wearing compulsory
  • Executive branch enforced the law through officers from LTA, NEA, NParks, SPF
  • Judiciary applied the law when individuals ignored it or committed more serious crimes
• Representative democracy


  A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
• Representative democracy


  • Citizens elect representatives
  • Representatives make decisions on behalf of citizens
• Functions of government in a representative democracy

  1. Describe what is a representative democracy

  2. Identify the branches of government

  3. Describe the functions of the branches of government

  4. Using examples, show how the three branches of the government work together in a representative democracy
• Roles of the government

  • Maintain law and order
  • Ensure the economic and social well-being of citizens
  • Promote and protect the country's national interests
• Ensuring law and order

  • Preserving safety and security
  • Ensuring justice
• Preserving safety and security


  Government must protect citizens' lives and properties from harmful acts
• Preserving safety and security

  • Setting up of road blocks to detect and arrest drunk drivers
  • Patrolling the streets to notice suspicious characters
  • Awareness campaigns on road safety, anti-drunk driving, anti-vaping and substance abuse
• SPF's duties


  Deter potential criminals, prevent threats from escalating, ensures peace and order in society
• When peace and order is protected in society


  People feel safe and protected, society can function normally and progress
• Ensuring justice


  Fair administration of the law
• Ensuring justice


  • Case of Parti Liyani, a domestic helper charged with stealing but later acquitted
  • Conviction of a former CPIB officer for misusing money
• Fair application of the law

  Increases public confidence in the legal system, reduces chances of dissatisfaction and disharmony, protects peace and order
• Should citizens be engaged in online vigilantism to bring about law and order in society?
• Economic and social well-being


  Situation where an individual's basic needs are met and they have the opportunity to pursue their goals and enjoy a satisfactory quality of life
• Providing goods and services to meet basic needs

  • Subsidized healthcare, HDB housing schemes, CPF mandatory saving scheme
• Ensuring basic needs are met

  Singaporeans' well-being is looked after, sense of satisfaction and belonging, less disruptions, society's progress sustained
• Providing goods and services to help citizens pursue their goals and enjoy satisfactory quality of lives

  • SkillsFuture programme - skills-focused courses, SkillsFuture Credit, Work-Study Programme, subsidies for Singaporeans aged 40 and above
• SkillsFuture programme


  Allows individuals to develop their fullest potential, pursue their goals, increase sense of appreciation and belonging, keep Singapore competitive
• Can the government ensure every citizen's economic and social well-being all the time? Why do you say so? What can be done to support government's efforts?
• Promoting and protecting national interests

  • Through diplomacy - cooperation between countries to achieve goals that benefit everyone
  • Through deterrence - measures taken to discourage potential aggressors
• Promoting national interests through diplomacy

  • Forging bilateral relations e.g. water agreement with Malaysia, economic cooperation with Vietnam
  • Forging strong multilateral relationships through ASEAN, RCEP
• Establishing amicable relationships with other countries

  Protects Singapore's security and ensures continued economic growth, leads to greater progress in society
• Promoting national interests through deterrence

  • Building military capabilities e.g. developing the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle
• Building military capabilities


  Discourages potential aggressors from attacking Singapore