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T7

Un-holesome

            In the 1990’s the effects of the increase in average temperature of the globe became a widely debated topic. The term “global warming” was termed to refer to this increasingly thorny predicament which up till now is still deteriorating.

            Global warming is a result of “greenhouse effects” which is the change in temperature of a planet caused by the gases in atmosphere that absorbs infra-red radiation. Examples of such gases are Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Sulphur Oxide. The listing of these gases go beyond just formalities, they present a paradigm of the situation which until now remains unresolved. That is the contention of developing countries versus the non-developing countries.

            Developing countries such as China, Malaysia and India depend on farming as a significant contributor to its economy. However Methane is produced by farming as a by-product of decomposition of these crops. Contrast this with the industrial giants of the world, America, Germany and Japan, who produce a vast amount of carbon dioxide (Co2) through their industrial wastes. So, who are the main culprits of global warming?It is hard statistically to prove the devil’s advocate. Data collected on gases cannot be 100% accurate, they are at best suggestions. It is clear that both. Both sides are pushing blame, neither wanting to accept responsibilities at the cost of the detriment to their economy.

            Yes, detriment to the economy. Is that not the reason why America, the largest producer of carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels, decided to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol in 1992, citing selfish reasons that would “would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States”? While every country on their façade, paint an all too willing image to support green movements, if it were  to be legistically imposed upon them by a NGO like United Nations, would they then still remain ‘upbeat’ about their kind intentions.

           I am not advocating that countries should take America’s path of  ‘leaning against the wind’. Of course nobody can, since they are the world’s unprecedented, not mega, but sole-megapower. Likewise with the Iraq War, America took on Iraq as well as the world. Even as recently in 2008, George Bush cited China’s exemption from the Protocol as an excuse the America can also be excluded from it. Never then nor now I guess.

            What is it then, will it take for the World to truly abolish its self-obliterating past that was set in stone since Man learned to create fire. The answer is simple. At a global level, a reasearch instituion should be funded by all nations of the world to step into the Research and Development of environmentally-friendly technologies. Governments of the world should be impregnated with propanganda, very much like the way they do to their own citizens, with emphasis and collective responsibilities on the state of the health. Carl Sagan once said that we should be a “two-planet spieces”, yet the truth stares obliquely in our faces. We are a one planet spieces, and till the day we fulfill his prophecy, we must not be the destructors of Earth but its vanguard.

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T7

Technology and Energy-The Battle for Oil

            The intricate link between technology and energy is an undisputable nexus. The quintessential hallmark of technology is its relentless consumption of energies such as electricity and oil for its source of impetus. Modern-day commonplace technologies such as cars and electrical appliances to industrialized heavy equipment all harness energies to propel their functions. It is no wonder the clamour for energies have thrown the state of nations into various forms of upheavals.       

            In the first two quarters if 2008, oil prices reached its highest ever in history, trading in at $147.27 per barrel on July 11, 2008. This unprecedented rise in price of crude oil reflects the reliance on oil in everyday life. The use of oil is most prevalent in our various forms of transportation. Be it over land, air or sea, mankind’s forms of transportation revolves around the gargantuan consumption of crude oil. This need for transport arose due to globalisation in the 1960’s. As the world ‘shrunk’ and countries became connected, the need to commune increased significantly. As of 2002, 590 million private cars were owned in the world(roughly one in eleven people), this was not including public transports and other forms of transportation such as airplanes, ships and trains.

            As shown, the dependence of on crude oil have a significant impact on economy. In 2008, coupled with the increase in oil prices, the economic healths of nations were affected. As the price of crude oil as a daily commodity rose, many countries fell into inflation. Purchasing Parity Power (PPP) of citizens were eroded, thus causing many purse strings to tighten. In Malaysia, the government even increased the price of oil by a hefty 40%, causing major outcry from its citizens. Demonstration and strikes were held, some even turned violent, causing both police and demonstrators to suffer injuries.

            As the world continues to grow, the consumption of oil will grow inexorably. More oil will be needed to fuel industrial giants like China and India. The theory of Peak Oil, which states that when the point in time the maximum rate of global petroleum production is reached, the rate of production will henceforth enter terminal decline. Technology has inevitably brought about the rapid consumption of oil, now it must find a way to repay mother Earth.

            In 1973, when Arab nations announced an oil embargo on America and Western countries that supported the Yom Kippur War, the world fell into economic crisis. Not since the Great Depression in 1929 did a single event had so much of a hold on the world. The energy crisis led to greater interest in other renewable sources of power such as solar and wind power.  The amount of sunlight directed to Earth is so massive that in one hour the energy produced on Earth outstrips the amount of energy Man uses in a year. The availibilty of solar energy is for all to see, yet there are concerns about its viabilities and there is industrial inertia.

            Industries are unwilling to invest in Research and Development on the use of solar energy as there is still sufficient fuel going around. Not unless faced with shortages will they be jolted into action. Such a deadpan mindet has always be a trademark of man. As technolgy expends fuel with voracious appetite, leading technological institutes must now focus on developing renawable sources. Renewable sources must no more be a idealogical goal, it must converted into a pragmatic source of fuel for mankind.

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T7

Exercise ‘Disease mobilisation’

Far-fetched as it sounds, globalisation has indeed aided the dispersion of pathological diseases. The ease of travelling has brought the battle against infectious disease to a whole new dimension. As virus and bacteria weave their subtle yet devastating influence on mankind, government authorities struggle to cope with the ramifications of its devastation. SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) was such an example.       

In the fall of November 2002, SARS took the world by storm. The epidemic originated in Guangdong province, China. Locally, the epidemic was first diagnosed in March 15 2003, when an infected patient was identified and promptly quarantined. The Sars virus was first brought to Singapore via Johnny Chen, a businessman who in his course of travel put up at the Metropole Hotel, Singapore.

The origin of the SARS virus in Singapore speaks volume of the socio-political climate that encourages the spread of diseases. It is vital to note that a businessman contributed to the beginning of the epidemic in Singapore. Before 1960’s, the age of globalisation, overseas job assignments were rarity. Yet as the world ‘shrank’ and businesses became intricately linked through global networks of infrastructure, the advent of overseas work travel was heralded. The liquidity of cash flow and human resource was a key to the development of an overseas career. As migration rules laxed, many companies set up overseas branches for cost effective measures. As a result, travel between countries for work became a common sight.

On March 16 2003, the CDC (Communicable Disease Centre) issued a warning in Singapore against all travelling towards countries identified with the epidemic. Having understood the importance of cautionary measures, the Singapore government also implemented the Infectious Disease Act to quarantine suspected SARS patients. The mobility of the Singaporeans within the Singapore society can be liken as a microcosm of immigration. The ease of overseas travel is somewhat reflective of the ease of travelling in one’s hometown.

The gateways to the country were paid special attention to. Thermal imaging scans were fitted at both Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints and also Changi Airport. Supposed the SARS epidemic took place a mere half a century ago, before 1952 when the first commercial flight was flown, the repercussions of the SARS virus would have been presumably easier to negotiate. Furthermore, the notion of closing Singapore’s checkpoints and admitting tourists would have been impossible. ‘Tourists’ refers to not just leisurely travel, it encompasses medical and business tourist too. The Singapore government had to tackle to the risk of admitting SARS infected personals into the country without tightening its migrating policies. The balancing act was indeed arduous to juggle, yet it was essential if the government wanted the economy to grind on.  The government’s handling of the SARS virus won accolades and praises from international bodies including the German  government and WHO(World Health Organisation).

The effects of globalisation cannot be reversed, it has bought unprecedented wealth to many countries and also improved the living standards in many others. Yet the threat of infectious diseases remain a threat, perhaps more tangible than ever. The government must wield its power efficiently to prevent other cases like SARS from reoccurring.

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T7

Urbanization-Moving Out to Move In

            Urbanization has taken place at a staggering pace in the past century. In 1950, the world had 1 city over 10 million in population while in 1995 there were 14. The UN reported that in 2005, 49% of the world population lived in urban areas compared to the 13% in 1990. Globalization has indeed provided faster, cheaper and more convenient modes of transport.

            For many cities, urbanization has brought about a rise in its population, be it due to internal migration or external migration. Urbanization has generated significant increment in the local demand market, providing more job opportunities to locals. Yet are the promises of a better life and hope for the future be all but flawed, nothing but make believes in the eyes of the migrant.

            Urban centres are seen as places of opportunities. Infrastructures are bountiful, from schools to healthcare institutions and to transporting services, the city seems to have it all. Rural dwellers are drawn towards the urban areas in such of all these good things. But whether the urban areas deliver is another issue. 

            Take for instance Detroit. It has been losing population ever since the 1950’s when it hit its peak. An overpopulation of 1.8million in the 1950’s prompted intense competition for career opportunities. Many fled to suburban areas to look for better prospects. The advent of the automobile also prompted companies to set up shopping malls and commercial estates in suburban areas with miles of free-parking available on all side. Many urban dwellers became sub-urban dwellers and felt no need to return to the urban sprawls. The attractiveness of urban centres have proven to be its own ultimate undoing.

            On the other hand, Shanghai residents are steadfast in their belief to remain in the city. With over 20 million residents and counting, travelling has become a thorny issue at every peak hour of the day. Before the 1990’s cycling was the most common form of transportation, but it has been banned to ease traffic congestions in the city. The incapability of the existing roads to cope with the amount of traffic is a major issue experienced by urban centres. The Singapore government implemented the ERP(Electronic Road Pricing) system in 1998. The Central Business District can be liken to the urban centre while the surrounding residential areas in Singapore can be liken to the suburban areas. To ease the traffic congestion leading up and away from the CBD every morning and evening, the Singapore government implemented a pay-per-use basis road tax on each vehicle passing through the gantry. Such a course of action proved to be unpopular with motorists who ranted against the government. The government maintained on its course of action with resolute.

            According to the central place theory put forth by Jane Jacobs, regions need central places where its important functions converge. These central places prosper and develop into huge cities or urban centres. This is the sole reason why urbanization will continue to develop in a globalized age such as ours. The ease of transport and relaxation of migration rules further compound the problems brought forth by rapid urbanization. To control such rapid growth of city populations, the government need to carefully plan its urban structures and policies. This is essential if the urban centres are to be developed into mega prosperous cities.

            The politics of identity is one that had been marred by blood, violence pictures of genocide throughout recent years. The Holocaust or the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” brings to mind the death of millions of Jews. Nazi officials and German Policemen tortured and executed Jews with no regards for human lives and dignity.

            In times of a globalized world, groups of people and varied cultures have held out on fast to their roots to form a sense of collective identity. Such identities help them find a place and strata to occupy in the community, it gives people a sense of collectivity as opposed purely to nationalistic views. Personal identifications are marked with race, religions are commonly required to be proclaimed in official documents while our genealogies are held in official records.

            It is true that such identities help masses to distinguish themselves and help societies to organize itself at a micro level. Yet this distinction can be made arbitrary and be misused. While Adolf Hitler’s roots for his hatred towards the Jews cannot be pin-pointed, history tells us that his atrocities cannot be ignored. Up to 7 million Jews were persecuted during World War 2 for no rhyme or reason, purely murdered in cold blood due to racial differences.

            Thus the question to be asked is” Is race and religion needed in the social context of our current society?”. Why is there a need to proclaim our races jarringly in our pink identification cards. It is this very distinction that caused the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. In the post-colonial era, the distinction between the Hutuks and the Tutsis used to be a economical one. This meant that the Hutuks who were mostly herdees and farmers could transcend their Hutuness by accumulating wealth and become a Tutsi. Yet the Belgians who colonialized them sought to impose their own culture into Rwanda by classifying its people into ethic group, namely also the Tutsis and the Hutuks. The Belgians even bought identification cards for every Rwandan. When the Belgians left Rwanda, the Hutuks who were awarded the power took out their anger, hatred and revenge on the arbitrary Tutsis.

            Maybe our socio-political climate will now allow us to remove race from our identities. By doing so, this could well eliminate then probability of racial biasness and conflicts. In certain parts of Indonesia, ongoing conflicts between Christians and Islamists still claim innocent human lives.

            That leaves us with national identities. Surely conflicts do take place between nations. Most recently Russia imposed its military might on Georgia. Yet that conflict lasted just a mere 5 days compared to the Rwanda genocide that lasted a hundred days.

Conflict between countries are harder to organize that civil in-fighting. The mere scale of logistics will prove to be a deterrent in organizing such warfare. On the other hand, mere machetes proved to be incredible killing weapons during the Rwanda Genocide. Secondly, countries that proceed with aggressive military stance towards another country will face criticism and boycotts from other countries and NGO’s. That is certainly the case of the 2008 South Ossetia War. Russia was heavily criticised and blame for the conflict.

            To minimise conflicts in a globalized world, distinctions and categorizations must also be minimized. Let’s do away with terms of “otherness” and marginality of certain people. Gays and lesbians, race or religion. Lets give the human race one lesser excuse to start a war.

            Controversial as it seems, Singapore is not as democratic as it seems to suggest. To begin with, The 1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore falsely presented Singapore’s citizens with a Hobson’s choice. That is to say, of all the 3 choices presented, all led to the merger of Singapore with Malaysia. Of course the rest is history as we know it, Singapore’s joy was short-lived, cut short with a certain tears and sorrows of a certain Lee.

            Reporters Without Borders, a non governmental organisation advocating free-press recently published its 2007 results. Singapore was ranked a 141 out of 169 countries. This is an appallingly low figure for a democratic society like ours. The hand of the government can be seen manoeuvring throughout the local media, from radio to television and from television to the theatres.

            Having brought about the point on media, it does not take a genius to realize the pivotal role it plays in the consciousness of its citizens. The Singapore government is adept at manipulating various mediums to broadcast its propaganda messages. Speaking of which, many governments, ranging from the extreme left to the most conservative rights, have all been held culpable of such a stratagem.

            Truth be told, Singapore has been progressing steadily under the watchful Panoptic eyes of the government. Yet with progress comes a higher state of intellect. The current generation, well educated, always questioning, has come to realized a paradoxical presentation on human rights and freedom of speech.

            No doubt, Singaporeans are free from physical abuse, a dire strait suffered by many citizens of other countries. The recent Tibetan uprising has brought media attention to the atrocities that the government has sentenced out on civilians. Looking further back in time, the Rwandan Genocide serves to highlight the extremities that a government can carry out on its citizens. Needless to say, of the approximate 1 million that dies, many died a painful torturous death.

            Yet Singaporeans seem to have been denied a certain right to speak. It is the mental abuse that many young Singaporeans feel they have been assailed with. The Speaker’s Corner, opened in 2008 at Hong Lim Park, is known for the presence of a police station nearby. Potential speakers have to register their speeches and have their contents screened before given permission to speak. Sensitive subjects such as race and religion are prohibited. It is thus no surprise that the only sound present now at the Speaker’s Corner is the sound of rustling leaves.

            Additionally, Roystan Tan’s controversial film,15, was inititally banned in Singapore in 2003. The Singapore Board of Film Censors was disdain with the amount of violence, nudity and Hokkien usage rampant in the movie. Ultimately, Roystan made 27 cuts to the film, leading him to create his satirical short film, Cut, later on. 15, a film portraying the real lives of teenage gangsters in Singapore was a honest film that portrayed a subservient side of Singapore’s otherwise clean image. It was perhaps too brutally honest, thus incurring the wrath of the censorship’s knife.

            Thus democracy, or in Singapore’s case as it proclaims to be, a fitting mould for a society. There is no doubt economic progress. But beyond economic capital, there is a need to talk about cultural capital. Singaporeans might be financially well-off, yet we are poor in spirits. The government has sought to veil our creativity and expressions, citing reasons that it will undermine the society’s delicate fabric of peace.

Instead of looking it from this paradigm, I believe that the right to speak freely, coupled with the discipline of constructivism not destruction, will only serve to embellish Singapore’s already beautiful societal fabric. 

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T7

War and Violence-Terrorising Terrorists

  Wars use to be full-blooded confrontations between various groups of people. According to Dictionary.com, confrontation can mean, a meeting of persons face to face. Yet in the wake of September 11, the issue of a more insidious and subversive warfare has confronted the globalised world. The world has come to face the reckoning of a form of warfare known as terrorism.

  The prevalence of any form of media in countries have no doubt enabled easier access to global news. The inter-connectivity of this world is a by-product of globalisation. Stock markets are updated instantaneously, news reports are beamed  live via satellites, one can find even pinpoint the weather conditions of a foreign country three days in advance. There is a need for “local” knowledge, “local” because the world is but a globalised village.

  Yet it is this advent of media that has exacerbated the issue of terrorism. The haunting images of a man leaping off the Twin Tower and the chaos and destruction portrayed by images of the aftermath of the bombing at Ground Zero has no doubt been plastered into the minds of civilians around the world. More recently, reports of the London Tube bombing generated huge concerns and interest worldwide. While we as civilians are alerted to these acts of terror, it is the knowledge of such events that have imbued us with a constant state of fear. A certain aphorism, “ignorance is bliss” can perhaps be paradoxically true in the post 9/11 world.

  It would be naïve to assume that terrorism only originated in the post 9/11 era, Terrorism was already threatening to boil over in the 1990’s with the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway and the Oklahoma bombing, both taking place in 1995.  Yet the message of terrorism hit home only during the September 11 events due to various reasons. Firstly, the unsurpassed damage created during the attack brought attention to terrorism. Furthermore, America, the world’s sole mega-power was deemed to be invincible. Thirdly the strategic choice of hitting the World Trade Centre which was a symbol of strength(economic) and freedom, hit a nerve with the American public. Lastly, terrorism gained a place in America’s budget considerations when the State announced its “War on terrorism.” It is this war on terrorism that has made USA justify its highly publicized war on Afghanistan and Iraq.

  The butterfly effect whirls into full-blown motion in our closely-knitted “global village”. Just after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, a oil crisis surfaced globally. A contributing factor is growing unrest in the Middle Eastern countries which is the world’s largest old producing area. Countries around the world felt the reverberations of the effects of a war. The hardest hit are middle-income families that find it hard to buffer inflation due to the oil crisis.

  Life has also been significantly harder for Muslim minorities living in Western countries. While perpetuators of the 9/11 attacks did so in the name of Jihad or holy war in the name of the Islamic faith, these radicals make up an extremely small minority among the followers of the Islamic faith. Yet Muslims find themselves on the wrong end of xenophobia, more so after the attacks. In 2006, the marginalisation became even more blatant when Dutch government banned the wearing of the Burqa in public.

  The threats of this era are real as reported by the media. Yet the fearful climate must be attributed to our own humanly responses to such a threat. How should the media report about acts of terror and reassure citizens at the same time? Can the government withhold facts from us while contriving methods to suppress terrorism? And if so, what are the repercussions when the beans are spilled. The role of media as a bane or boon with regards to terrorism can only be further pondered upon at such a point in history.

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T7

A globalized culture

             In 2007, Roystan Tan’s film, 881, became the highest grossing Asian film in Singapore history. Young and old alike, flocked to the nearest theatre to catch a glimpse of what the entire hullabaloo was about. The majority of movie goers were teenagers who have never in their life been an audience of a Getai show. Yet beneath the cacophonous roar of approval from film critics, there lies a subservient issue to be addressed. The cultural erosion of the ‘Gen-Y’ Singaporean.

            It is heartening to know that many of my peers have since gone on to catch Getai shows with their parents and grandparents. Yet it is compelling to note that Getai was a popular form of entertainment just a generation ago. Where has all the Getai’s faded to, and in essence is the ‘Singapore culture’ fading fast into the background of globalization?

            In the midst of invading culture from the West, Singapore has lost some of its Oriental allure and mysticism. Cinemas have taken over the place of Getais, fast food has replaced good old Chinese sumptuous meals and Christmas has also taken an eminent position one’s calendar. With the ease of media exchanges and cultural influx, young Singaporeans have taken to Western cultural. Hollywood not Bollywood, chicken burger not chicken rice, celebrate Christmas and avoid paying laborious visits to relatives during Chinese New Year.

            What is the Singaporean identity? How much of a say do we have in it? Singapore’s short span of independence have compounded the thorny issues of identity. While China feels the effect of Macdonalisation, Singapore cannot but help be overwhelmed by it. Singapore has no ‘cultural inertia’ to resist the influx of Western elements, With too short a history and too little understanding of themselves, Singaporeans willingly embrace a foreign identity.

           We cannot however blame it all on globalization. It is perhaps time to reconsider the definition of culture. By tradition, culture is the characteristics and beliefs of a certain group of people. This certain group of people used to be bounded by a tribe or a state. With the advancement of communication technologies, ideas and beliefs became easily communicable between tribes and states. Through a dialectical process, a common understanding is reached, and thus a new culture arises. We should now therefore expand the boundaries of the definition of ‘culture’. It does not only pertain to tribes or states, it must now be applied to trans-national cultures.

            In retrospect, Singaporeans cannot accurately call Chinese New Year or Hari Raya authentically our own. Our famed metropolitan cuisines are not necessarily local too. Chicken rice, laksa and nasi lemak are all recipes brought from far and away lands. Such indigenous aspect of culture travel faraway to be seeded in the new Singaporean ‘Culture”. One of the truly unique Singaporean aspect in our lives is the language of Singlish. Although frowned upon by academics, it is heartily embraced by locals and tickled expatriates. Thankfully, it is such small aspects of live that make us Singaporeans.

            What globalization brings about is not a disregard and degradation of culture.

The only result of globalisation is the need to redefine culture. Diehard puritans resist changes and ‘contamination’ of their indigenous culture. Yet if they choose to do so, they might as well stay live in villages, eat food specific to their own ethnicity and be entertained by obsoleted forms of entertainment. Young people should go for movies and Getais for entertainment. External influences will in time be assimilated into local contexts. Is it not pleasant to embrace both the past and the old, the alien and the local, to create a culture of our own, one that all Singaporeans have a say in, instead of having a culture imposed upon us.

Wilson Xie

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T7

Crimes and Criminals

    What goes on in the minds of criminals? Many a times, we who are “flawless” and “spotless” in conduct ask ourselves this question. Yet we fail to empathize with the criminal mindset, so often one of desperation, hopelessness and fear.

    Globalization has brought about many changes in our society. Of great importance is the improvement in trans-country or trans-continental travel which can be attributed to the exponential development of air travel. This has capacitated greater ease in migration, leading to a great influx of expatriates to foreign lands. Such an increase in migration has brought about societal changes that result in the ascent in crimes rates.

    The escalation of foreign talents has led to the marginalization of various clusters of personnel in the workforce. In Singapore, the influx of cheap labor from Bangladesh and China has caused many lower-skilled workers in Singapore to be displaced from their jobs. Local workers who are unable and unwilling to live on a meager salary of less than $800 a month, will find their services terminated by their employers who have no qualms in employing a foreign worker in their place. Foreign workers are more than willing to work earnestly for this sum of money because, the foreign exchange rate would enable their salary earned in Singapore dollar to be of a much higher relative value in their homeland. Many poor and uneducated Singaporeans instead turn to petty theft like shoplifting and pick-pocketing to find avenue of outlet for their relative poverty. Furthermore, as many of them are uneducated, they do not seek help from relevant authorities, who can otherwise extend a lending hand to them.

    On the other polar end, many educated Singaporeans are finding it an Herculean effort to source for well-paying jobs in the corporate world. This thorny issue is no less due to globalization. A large number of firms in Singapore hire expatriates to fill up high- managerial positions. This has left many educated Singaporeans to be left out in the cold. Such people have turned to more complex crimes like money laundering and illegal pyramid schemes to earn quick money.

    Of course, such economic problems lead to social problems as well. In countries like Australia, many of its White natives look upon immigrants as usurping their economic and education birthrights. Asian immigrants make up a huge percentage of foreigners in Australia. A large number of them receive high salaries and do well in their studies. This excellence has naturally led to citizens being green-eyed. As such, many racially-induced crimes have taken place. Beatings, bullying and even murders have taken place in account of racial discriminations.

    Furthermore, the advent of the age of technology has aided criminals to engage in crimes in ways more sophisticated than before. Due to the inter-connectivity of a globalized world, the need for cashless transactions has risen. While such transactions are mostly carried out with various layers of safe protocols, cyber criminals who are well versed in their field of hacking can hijack millions of dollars world in heist.  The global issue of terrorism has also been escalated by technological enhancements. Radical groups like the Al Queda and the Irish Republican Army have made use of cutting edge communication devices like the Global Positioning Relay Satellite(GPRS) to track illusive cell members and pin-point bombing targets, and even mere mobile phones to increase cell members’ mobility.

       The “shrinking” world has brought and array of ethnic groups together. This engagement has at times caused friction and other times harmonious blending of culture. The government has a role to play by proactively engaging in crime prevention and beefing up security issues against terrorism and other crimes. While we cannot turn our backs on a radically improved world of higher living standards, we must diligently protect our own assets, that is to say, our loved ones and monetary assets against insidious motives.

  Wilson Xie

  087779B12

  T7

Women-The New Men

    The role of women has been one of domesticated figures until recent years. With globalisation, the feministic movement has been gaining audiences far and beyond, reaching. Women are no longer satisfied with the stereotypical image of a diligent housewife, waiting on both husband and children, preparing meals and setting the household spick and span. The rise of the “career women” has had major impacts on socio-political dynamics in our societies.

    In the past, the sole-bread winner of the household was undisputedly the masculine figure. Yet the rise of the career women has caused much tension between the man and wife. While it was a norm for men in the past to bring home the bread and butter, the women were likewise responsible for household affairs. However, modern career women are less likely to solely concentrate on domestic affairs, let alone resign from their career to stay home twenty-four seven. This uneven separation of responsibilities, have caused the women to take up the burden of both domestic affairs and career responsibilities. The man on the other hand, has to shoulder some familial obligations which they find are a distraction and nuisance to their work-life. The reconciliation of a duo identity for both men and women has yet to be fulfilled. Both man and wife live a life of heavy burdens, and both reject their role of duo-identity.

    The rise of matriarchal power has caused many men to quiver in their pants. While men traditionally brought home the big money, many women are now playing catch-up. The number of high income earning women has since the 1990’s increased by a greater marginal difference as compared to males. This is no doubt due to better education opportunities for women and a less phallocentric society. Men now have difficulty finding potential spouses as the wage difference come into play, whereas in the past, such a problem was non-existence as women did not earn an income.

   Furthermore, globalization has enabled the use of advanced technology to proliferate and many industrializing countries. In China and India for example, assembly lines for automobiles are highly mechanized. While man were needed to haul heavy components of the vehicles to and fro the factories, the delicate push of a button to kick-start the conveyor belt into action is all it takes now. Common sense tells us that this does not need strong arms and backs, the nimble finger of a woman will suffice.

    The roles are women can never be reversed. Since Jane Austen penned her famed Victorian novels on the plight of women, they have never ceased to try to achieve status quo with man.  Women cannot unlearn what they have acquired over the last 200 hundred years or so. Thus the modern women and men must now try to accommodate each others new role in the social, political and economic aspect.