Do you agree that the government has a more important role to play in maintaining law and order than ensuring the economic and social well-being of its citizens in Singapore?
One of the roles of the government is to maintain law and order. The government preserves safety and security by ensuring that citizens’ lives and properties are protected from harmful threats and crimes like robbery, drug trafficking or any domestic unrest such as rioting. [Description]
The government ensures justice in the country as people are governed by clear and fair rules. For example, the infamous “Badge Lady” was convicted for not wearing a mask during the Covid-19 period when mask-wearing was legally mandated in public places. For flouting mask rules she was charged accordingly and had to face consequences. [Example]
Therefore, maintaining law and order is important as it keeps a sense of order within the country where laws are abided and violators are punished accordingly. Along with consistent and effective efforts to preserve safety and security, the government ensures that all citizens feel safe instead of feeling worried about their lives and their property. [Explanation]
Another role of the government is to ensure the economic and social well-being of its citizens. This is achieved by devoting significant resources to provide goods and services for the public, which includes education, housing, healthcare, and transportation. [Description]
For example, the Housing Development Board (HDB) provides public housing options which homes to 80 percent of the population in Singapore. Residents can also enjoy a wide range of subsidised healthcare treatments from the nearest polyclinics in almost every neighbourhood. [Example]
Hence, the provision of goods and services is important because without the government’s intervention to plan, such services may not be available. By prioritizing the welfare and standard of living of its citizens, the government has citizens’ interests at heart.. [Explanation]
Maintaining law and order is more important than ensuring economic and social well-being of its citizens. [Make a stand]
Although the economic and social well-being of the people is important, without law and order in Singapore, the government will not be able to execute its other roles for the people. Only when Singapore is protected from any possible threats and fair judicial system to punish lawbreakers, can there be economic growth.
Therefore, the economic and social well-being of citizens can only be achieved when there is peace and security. Hence, maintaining law and order has a heavier importance. [Explain your stand]