Deputy PM Gan Kim Yong on fraternity at IPS’ Singapore Perspectives 2026 | Full speech

Key Concepts

• Fraternity: Relationships, norms, and habits of cooperation fostering trust and collective function amidst diversity; often referred to as social capital.
• Social Capital: Networks and informal expectations supporting cooperation, reciprocity, and collective action.
• Social Resilience: A society’s ability to withstand and recover from disruptions (economic, technological, demographic, global).
• Absorptive Capacity: A small, open economy’s ability to attract and integrate global firms and talent.
• Homogeneous Networks: Social circles composed of individuals with similar backgrounds and characteristics.
• Diverse Networks: Social circles encompassing individuals from varied backgrounds (age, income, ethnicity, etc.).

The Importance of Fraternity in a Digitally Connected Singapore

This discussion centers on the critical role of “fraternity” – defined as the relationships, norms, and habits of cooperation that build trust and enable collective action – in maintaining Singapore’s cohesion and competitiveness in a rapidly changing world. Singapore’s unique position as a small, diverse, and highly open society necessitates a focus on fostering connections between different groups, rather than relying on a singular shared identity. The speaker emphasizes that fraternity isn’t about uniformity or constant agreement, but about recognizing shared community despite differences.

Digitalization and Social Fabric

The speaker addresses the common assumption that increased digital connectivity diminishes the importance of place-based or institutional social ties. However, research suggests a more complex relationship. While digital tools enhance communication, they often lead to interactions within personalized feeds, self-selected networks, and interest-based communities, potentially narrowing social circles. Information access expands, but trust doesn’t automatically increase. Therefore, digitalization doesn’t negate the need for fraternity; instead, it increases the importance of a strong underlying social fabric to support trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. As stated, “digitalization does not remove the relevance of fraternity. Instead, it places greater weight on the underlying social fabric that supports trust, cooperation, and a sense of shared purpose.”

IPS Survey Findings on Friendship and Social Networks

Recent surveys conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Singapore reveal key insights into the nature of social connections:

• In-Person Interactions Remain Crucial: Close, meaningful relationships primarily develop through face-to-face interactions in settings like schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and community spaces. Digital platforms supplement these interactions, rather than replacing them.
• Diversity of Ties Matters: Individuals with more diverse friendship networks – spanning age, income, education, housing type, and ethnicity – report a stronger sense of belonging, higher trust in fellow Singaporeans, greater confidence in shared values, and increased civic/community participation. Conversely, homogeneous networks correlate with weaker outcomes. This highlights that fraternity isn’t just about having relationships, but who those relationships are with.
• Networks Reflect Broader Structures: Social networks continue to mirror existing social and economic structures. Without intentional opportunities for cross-group interaction, networks can remain segmented even in a digitally connected society.

Implications for Singapore: Three Key Areas

These findings have significant implications for Singapore’s future in three critical areas: economic competitiveness, social resilience, and national identity.

1. Economic Competitiveness:

Singapore’s economic model relies on openness to trade, capital, ideas, and people. The nation competes through adaptability and attracting global talent, not through size. Diverse social networks foster trust and a sense of belonging, making Singapore more welcoming and easier to integrate into. Global talent considers social integration alongside work opportunities. Narrow, segmented networks hinder openness and integration, even with open policies. Fraternity, therefore, supports economic competitiveness by reducing “social friction” and enhancing Singapore’s “absorptive capacity” – its ability to attract and integrate global talent.

2. Social Resilience:

Individuals with diverse friendships are less likely to feel socially isolated, more likely to trust others, and more likely to participate in civic life. These characteristics are vital during times of stress and transition, such as economic restructuring, technological disruption, demographic aging, global uncertainty, and pandemics like COVID-19. Diverse networks reduce isolation, support cooperation (willingness to accept trade-offs and participate in collective responses), and provide informal support systems. Fraternity doesn’t eliminate disruption, but it shapes how disruption is experienced and managed.

3. National Identity:

For a multicultural nation like Singapore, national identity isn’t inherited; it’s built through everyday experiences. Friendships that cross social boundaries foster emotional attachment to Singapore and a belief in shared values. National identity is shaped by personal relationships that make difference familiar, rather than threatening. Fraternity allows a diverse society to function as a shared community, maintaining a sense of “us” in a global environment prone to polarization. The speaker emphasizes that this is “central to how a small diverse nation stays united and cohesive.”

Historical Context and Future Direction

The speaker underscores that Singapore has historically balanced openness with cohesion and diversity with shared purpose. Success has been built on trust between citizens, workers, employers, communities, and the government. Moving forward, strengthening social bonds in workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and everyday interactions is crucial. The focus should be on how people are connected, not just that they are connected.

Conclusion:

The core takeaway is that fostering fraternity – diverse, meaningful social connections – is not merely a social good, but a strategic imperative for Singapore’s continued success. By strengthening the everyday bonds between people, Singapore can maintain its openness, resilience, and unity in a rapidly changing world. The speaker concludes with a call to action: “By strengthening the everyday bonds between us, we give Singapore the confidence to remain open, resilient, and united in a changing world. This is how we should move forward.”