Law Minister Edwin Tong speaks about democracy at World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos

Key Concepts

• Social Compact: The implicit agreement between citizens and their leaders, where citizens elect leaders with the expectation of societal improvement and upliftment.
• Failure of Delivery: Governments failing to meet expectations regarding societal progress, economic improvement, and quality of life.
• Erosion of Trust: Declining public confidence in institutions and governmental processes.
• Misinformation: The spread of false or inaccurate information, particularly impacting elections.
• Citizen Engagement: Increased collaboration between governments and citizens, even after elections, through mechanisms like citizen assemblies and youth forums.
• Nimble Governance: The ability of a government to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances through consultation and legislation.
• Technocratic/Practical Approach: A problem-solving approach focused on finding effective solutions, often utilizing expertise and data, rather than strict adherence to ideological lines.
• Trade-offs: The inherent compromises and consequences associated with policy decisions, requiring open discussion and transparency.

The State of Democracy: Delivery, Trust, and Citizen Engagement

This discussion centers on the current challenges facing democratic systems globally, moving beyond a simple assessment of the number of democracies to a deeper examination of their functionality and legitimacy. The core argument presented is that while the fundamental premise of democracy – selecting leaders through free and fair elections – remains sound, its practical application is under significant strain.

The Social Compact and Expectations of Governance

The speaker begins by defining the foundational principle of democracy as a “social compact.” This compact entails citizens choosing leaders through elections, with the inherent expectation that those leaders will actively work to “uplift lives, build society and improve upon the previous generation.” This expectation of delivery is crucial. The speaker acknowledges the statistic of 3.7 billion people participating in elections and the fact that roughly 24% of the world is governed by democracies, but emphasizes that quantity doesn’t equate to quality.

Challenges to Democratic Functioning

Several key factors are identified as contributing to the pressures on democratic systems:

• Abuse of Power: Instances of governments gaining power through unfair means and subsequently exploiting their position. This breeds cynicism among citizens.
• Failure of Delivery: A broader failure to improve societal conditions and the lives of citizens, leading to disillusionment.
• Erosion of Trust in Institutions: A decline in public confidence in governmental bodies and established systems.
• Misinformation: The proliferation of false information, particularly its impact on undermining elections. The speaker notes this is a phenomenon of a scale unprecedented in previous generations.

The Need for Enhanced Citizen Engagement

The speaker argues that maintaining the democratic process requires a shift towards greater citizen engagement beyond the act of voting. Drawing on Helen’s earlier point, the speaker advocates for “a stronger degree of collaboration with citizens even after the government has come to power.”

Examples from Singapore:

• Citizen Juries: Utilized to gather public input on specific issues.
• Youth Forum: A platform for young people to voice their opinions, with a commitment to presenting these views, even dissenting ones, to Parliament. The speaker highlights that lacking experience isn’t a detriment, but a “different perspective.”
• Accountability through Elections: The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate check on government performance in Singapore is the prospect of being voted out of office in free and fair elections – the “heartbeat” of the system.

Nimble Governance and Rapid Response

The speaker illustrates Singapore’s approach to governance with a post-COVID example. Recognizing potential financial and contractual pressures due to social distancing measures, the government swiftly enacted legislation – from decision to implementation in just nine days. This demonstrates a capacity for “nimble” and “deft” action, achieved through rapid consultation and legislative processes. However, the speaker clarifies this isn’t a template for all decisions, but rather an illustration of the government’s obligation to evolve and respond to specific concerns.

Avoiding Micromanagement and Maintaining Governmental Responsibility

The speaker cautions against the pitfall of attempting to put every decision to a vote, arguing that this would be “abdicating your responsibility.” Governments are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people, fulfilling the “quid pro quo” of societal advancement and social mobility.

Addressing Ailments, Not Rejecting the System

The speaker stresses the importance of identifying and addressing the specific problems plaguing contemporary democracy, rather than dismissing the entire system. They point out that even examples often cited as challenges to democracy, like the situation in Taiwan, ultimately involved individuals selected through elections.

Practicality and Solution-Oriented Governance

The speaker characterizes Singapore’s approach as “practical” rather than strictly “technocratic,” emphasizing a focus on finding solutions to problems from diverse sources. This involves accepting input from various perspectives and avoiding rigid adherence to political lines.

The Importance of Transparency and Trade-off Discussions

Finally, the speaker underscores the necessity of open communication and transparency regarding policy decisions. Acknowledging that every decision involves “trade-offs” that will inevitably affect different segments of the population, they advocate for a dialogue between government and citizens to understand these consequences and build a shared understanding of the path forward. This openness, coupled with a clear understanding of the “how” of policy implementation, is deemed crucial for maintaining a healthy democratic system.

Conclusion

The speaker presents a nuanced view of democracy, acknowledging its inherent strengths while recognizing the significant challenges it currently faces. The core takeaway is that preserving democracy requires not only upholding the principles of free and fair elections but also actively fostering citizen engagement, embracing nimble governance, and prioritizing transparency in decision-making. The emphasis is on delivery – demonstrating tangible improvements in the lives of citizens – and maintaining a constant dialogue between government and the governed to navigate the inevitable trade-offs inherent in policy choices. The Singaporean model, while unique, offers valuable insights into how a government can proactively address these challenges and strengthen the democratic process.