Singapore Identity Essay

Abstract
In the last decade, the migration rate into Singapore has increased exponentially, heightening fears of the erosion of the Singapore identity. This phenomenon has stirred a huge controversy on whether immigrants are enhancing Singapore’s identity with greater diversity or diluting the Singaporean core. Singapore’s national identity is mainly build upon the concept of multiculturalism and racial harmony. This report aims to examine the development of Singapore’s identity as a migrant country and the impact of immigrants on Singaporeans’ sense of belonging and identity. Ultimately, cohesive diversity is the hallmark of Singapore’s unique identity.
Introduction
Amidst a tide of economic liberalisation, freedom of movement and cultural

Singapore is an example of a cosmopolitan migrant nation comprising of nearly forty percent of non-citizens currently. These immigrants consist of both foreign talents and foreign workers to contribute to the economy and society.

Singapore is known for being an inclusive multicultural society with a strong common identity despite ethnic and social differences. However, the main concern is that constant influx of immigrants from diverse countries may alter the Singaporean core beliefs and change how Singaporeans perceive their own identity. Background
Singapore started off as a migrant country consisting of immigrants from all over Asia. (Chan, 2013) After independence in 1965, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, one of Singapore’s greatest founding fathers, eradicated the racial divisions inherited from the British to foster a cohesive multi-racial nation. (Barr, as cited in Fenn, 2014) “My definition of a Singaporean, which will make us different from any others, is that we accept that whoever joins us is a part of us. We need talent. We accept them. That must be our defining attribute.” (Lee KY, 2011 as cited in Tulshyan, 2015) Everyone will have a place in Singapore’s meritocratic

Singapore’s national identity was built upon principles of pragmatism and self-renewal with the continuous influx of immigrants. (Kymlicka, 1995 and Duara, 1998 as cited in Yang, 2014). Numerous measures were implemented by the government to diminish differences through the internalisation of Singaporean values and norms. The education system incorporated the ideologies of multiracialism, elitism and meritocracy in the Singaporean collective subjectivity. (Barr and Skrbis, 2008 as cited in Yang, 2014). These efforts paid off in transforming Singapore into a cohesive cosmopolitan society, in terms of race and religion despite the fact that it was ranked as the most religiously diverse country out of 232 countries in the Global Religious Diversity Report. (Pew Research,