What are the responses in a diverse society?
Socio-Cultural Diversity
France’s Assimilation policy
Immigrants are expected to adopt the beliefs and practices of the majority group. Over time, this is supposed to make the identity of the immigrants indistinguishable from the majority group in aspects such as cultural beliefs and practices.
• Education
Secular
No discussion about religions except in History and Philosophy classes
Adaptation classes are also conducted for the children of immigrants to help them improve their French and eventually join regular French schools
• Employment
Employment helps immigrant to be committed to stay on in France, therefore hastening the acquisition of social capital.
Employment also improves their French language.
Government introduced Diversity Charter -> allowed companies to show support for a discrimination-free workplace.
• Naturalisation Processes
Help them develop basic knowledge about life in France and what being a French national means.
Since 1998, it is necessary for all immigrants to undergo French language courses, attend a day of civic education, demonstrate knowledge of French history and culture, French language proficiency and pass a cultural test.
There is the expectation that all French citizens identify with the principle of secularism, and that diversity does not overshadow national identity that binds all French citizens. This will ensure there is no discrimination because all citizens are considered equal and alike. This would reduce tension and help immigrant blend into society.
In this manner, France achieves the policy of national identity but at the expense of all groups having to discard their uniqueness.
Singapore’s Integration Policy
Immigrants retain their unique identities while forging common ground with the groups already living in the host country (in this case, Singapore).
• Bilingualism
EL and MT
English as a common language of communication to foster sense of belonging and promote integration.
MT allows preservation of cultural identity and heritage.
• Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR)
Formed in 1970
Ensure laws passed by Parliament are not discriminatory against any racial or religious community
• Group Representation Constituency (GRC)
Formed in 1988
Ensure minority racial groups are represented in Parliament.
So that the concerns and needs of minority groups are represented in Parliament.
• Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)
Introduced in 1989
To achieve a balanced ethnic mix in HDB estates and to prevent the formation of ethnic enclaves
Helps to foster racial harmony and strengthens social cohesion.
• Naturalisation Incentives
New Singapore citizens would go through a mandatory programme called the Singapore Citizenship Journey.
Designed through collaboration between the National Integration Council (NIC), People’s Association (PA) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).
New citizens have up to 2 months to complete this programme before they can receive their ICs and citizenship certificates.
• Common Experiences
Opportunities to interact with locals
Common experiences build ties between immigrants and larger Singapore society
Encourage immigrants to develop better understanding and to interact outside own communities
In March 2010, Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) quota was introduced for non-Malaysian SPR
National Service (NS) – shows new immigrants embrace this rite of passage
• Community Support
Grassroots-organised events and activities.
In September 2009, NIC launched Community Integration Fund (CIF) – support organisations interested in implementing ground-up integration initiatives.
Mobile application “SG Sauce” – provides users with info about the Singaporean way of life.
Initiatives organised by PA – block parties, home visits, festive celebrations at community clubs
The measures will promote integration because it will promote understanding among the different people living in Singapore, thereby building friendships and bonds among the people. This would reduce tension and lead to a harmonious society. With better understanding of different aspects of Singapore, the foreigners will be better able to adapt to our culture as well.
In this manner, no group is excluded because everyone can be unique yet uphold the identity of being a Singaporean.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Market-Based Approach (US)
The government gives citizens the freedom to decide how much they wish to pay for healthcare and allows the market to determine the provision of services to meet healthcare needs. This approach also means that Americans have to cope with the costs of healthcare largely on their own so they are expected to buy medical insurance.
The majority of Americans who are from middle and higher socio-economic status groups obtain their medical insurance as part of their employment package. However, these Americans are more likely to be employees of large firms. As a result, only 10% of Americans are able to afford private medical coverage beyond what their employers provide.
The market-based approach makes it harder for socio-economic status groups to pay for the much needed healthcare. Medical insurance premiums * are also high in order to make a profit. As a result, 16% or close to 41 million Americans are uninsured as of 2014. This approach helps America manage their healthcare system because it safeguards the government’s scarce resources and frees them of the responsibility of managing healthcare, allowing them to focus on other aspects of the country.
However, the market-based approach is not always effective in managing the socio-economic diversity in the US as its system causes some to fall between the cracks.
Shared Responsibility (Singapore)
The government intervenes through the provision of basic healthcare services and shares the costs of some aspects of healthcare. There is a balance between personal responsibility and the role the government plays.
Healthcare costs are kept affordable by the provision of government subsidies through various tiers, collective responsibility by society through risk-pooling, and individual and family responsibility.
A portion of CPF is set aside for Medisave. This promotes personal responsibility.
Helping to manage costs is everyone’s responsibility. We should maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet, whether at home, at school, at work or in the community, as staying healthy is the best way to reduce healthcare costs, and not to entirely depend on the government because shared resources are limited.
Therefore, this shared responsibility approach is effective in managing healthcare because it helps manage the government’s scarce resources while ensuring everyone has access to healthcare. In this way, the government would not have to rely on raising taxes to meet the healthcare needs of the people.
Government-Financed Approach (Sweden)
The government provides substantial subsidies and services for most of the healthcare needs of its citizens. This sometimes means that some of the healthcare services could be free.
This approach is based on the belief that all citizens should have access to healthcare services regardless of background or socio-economic status.
Universal access to healthcare
Every Swede has equal access to healthcare services regardless of class, income or house.
Public healthcare is largely owned and financed by the government
Both public and private providers are financed from public funds
People pay a nominal sum of money as part of co-payment
Higher taxes reflect public responsibility
Choice of having private insurance
Voluntary Health Insurance (VHI) is private insurance policy. Acts as supplement.
Provides faster access to medical services at GPs and hospitals.
Employers offer VHI as optional part of remuneration.
The cost of providing this comprehensive and subsidised approach is sustained through heavy taxation.
Therefore, this government-financed approach seems ideal as everyone has access to healthcare without worrying about the financial burden of healthcare expenses. The government also manages their healthcare expenditure because the cost is passed on to the citizens in terms of taxation.