![THINK TANK](https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/themes/rsis/assets/img/thinktanktop_03072020-02.jpg)
Think Tank (May to June 2019)
HIGHLIGHT
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Appreciating Diversity: What has the ICCS Achieved?
19 Jun 2019
Synopsis
‘Many Communities, One Shared Future’ was the theme of the recently concluded International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS). A key takeaway is that diversity is not a hindrance to social cohesion; it is how people manage the difference. It is also important that everyone plays a part and not wait for the government or institutions to do someth ...
RECENT BOOKS BY STAFF
A General History of the Chinese in Singapore
Kwa Chong Guan, Bak Lim Kua
A General History of the Chinese in Singapore documents over 700 years of Chinese history in Singapore, from Chinese presence in the region through the millennium-old Hokkien trading world to the waves of mass migration that came after the establishment of a British settlement, and through to the development and birth of the nation. Across 38 chapters and parts, readers are taken through the complex historical mosaic of Overseas Chinese social, economic and political activity in Singapore and the region, such as the development of maritime junk trade, plantation industries, and coolie labour, the role of different bangs, clan associations and secret societies as well as Chinese leaders, the diverging political allegiances including Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities and the National Salvation Movement leading up to the Second World War, the transplanting of traditional Chinese religions, the changing identity of the Overseas Chinese, and the developments in language and education policies, publishing, arts, and more.
With "Pride in our Past, Legacy for our Future" as its key objective, this volume aims to preserve the Singapore Chinese story, history and heritage for future generations, as well as keep our cultures and traditions alive. Therefore, the book aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for Singaporeans, new immigrants and foreigners to have an epitome of the Singapore society. This publication is supported by the National Heritage Board's Heritage Project Grant.
Seven Hundred Years: A History of Singapore
Kwa Chong Guan, Derek Heng, Peter Borschberg, Tan Tai Yong
Assessments of Singapore’s history invariably revolve around Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819. Before this date – we’ve been told – “nothing very much appears to have happened in Singapore”. Pre-1819 Singapore was a sleepy, historically insignificant fishing village, little more than the “occasional resort of pirates”.
This ambitious book, co-written by four of Singapore’s foremost historians, offers an assertive re-evaluation of that view. Drawing on a multi-disciplinary range of archival, textual and cartographical records, as well as the latest archaeological discoveries, the authors cast a singular historical trajectory for Singapore over the past seven centuries, animating its history like never before.
Written in a compelling and accessible manner, and richly illustrated with more than 200 artefacts, photographs, maps, art works and ephemera, this volume builds upon the foundations of an earlier book, Singapore: A 700-Year History. Extensively rewritten to incorporate ground-breaking research findings, Seven Hundred Years: A History of Singapore widens the historical lens and offers a vital new perspective on the story of Singapore.
The Three Pillars of Radicalization: Needs, Narratives, and Networks
Arie W. Kruglanski, Jocelyn J. Bélanger, Rohan Gunaratna
What fuels radicalization? Is deradicalization a possibility? The Three Pillars of Radicalization: Needs, Narratives, and Networks addresses these crucial questions by identifying the three major determinants of radicalization that progresses into violent extremism. The first determinant is the need: individuals' universal desire for personal significance. The second determinant is narrative, which guides members in their "quest for significance." The third determinant is the network, or membership in one's group that validates the collective narrative and dispenses rewards like respect and veneration to members who implement it.
In this book, Arie W. Kruglanski, Jocelyn J. Bélanger, and Rohan Gunaratna present a new model of radicalization that takes into account factors that activate the individual's quest for significance. Synthesizing varied empirical evidence, this volume reinterprets prior theories of radicalization and examines major issues in deradicalization and recidivism, which will only become more relevant as communities continue to negotiate the threat of extremism.
India-China Maritime Competition: The Security Dilemma at Sea
Rajesh Basrur, Anit Mukherjee, T. V. Paul
This edited volume critically examines the concept of the “security dilemma” and applies it to India–China maritime competition. Though frequently employed in academic discussion and popular commentary on the Sino-Indian relationship, the term has rarely been critically analysed. The volume addresses the gap by examining whether the security dilemma is a useful concept in explaining the naval and foreign policy strategies of India and China. China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its expansive engagement in the Indian Ocean Region have resulted in India significantly scaling up investment in its navy, adding ships, naval aircraft and submarines. This volume investigates how the rivalry is playing out in different sub-regions of the Indian Ocean, and the responses of other powers, notably the United States and prominent Southeast Asian states. Their reactions to the Sino-Indian rivalry are an underexplored topic and the chapters in this book reveal how they selectively use that rivalry while trying to steer clear of making definite choices. The book concludes with recommendations on mitigating the security dilemma.
This work will be of great interest to students of strategic studies, international relations, maritime security, and Asian politics.
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International Conference on Cohesive Societies
19 Jun 2019
“A nation cannot prosper if its people are divided,” stressed Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob. She was speaking at the opening dinner of the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS), organised by RSIS from 19 to 21 June 2019. “Social cohesion,” she said, “can only be nurtured ...
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On Cohesive Societies and Social Harmony — Reflections
19 Jun 2019
The night before the morning of 21 June 2019, many of the delegates to the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) might have gone to bed with information overload. Information about the need to maintain racial harmony and cohesion in their communities and nations — and how multi ...
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The Implications of Emerging Technology for Peace and Security in the Region and Globally
26 Jun 2019
Mr Frank Kendall, former US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, spoke at a RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture on 26 June 2019 on the implications of emerging technology for regional and global peace and security. He singled out three major challenges that the w ...
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The Psychology Behind Brexit: Implications for National Security Practitioners
18 Jun 2019
At a seminar on 18 June 2019, Lord John Alderdice, Director of Oxford University’s Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, examined the psychological drivers that continue to influence the United Kingdom’s ongoing and increasingly polarised debate on “Brexit”, Britain’s plan to leav ...
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Visit by Korean National Defence University Delegation
18 Jun 2019
A delegation of 25 Korean military officers who are attending a course at the Korean National Defence University (KNDU) visited RSIS on 18 June 2019 as part of a regional study visit. They were led by Professor Hong Tai Young from the Department of International Relations at the University’s G ...
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RSIS-WTO Parliamentarian Workshop 2019
11 Jun 2019
The Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS), RSIS, held the 10th RSIS-World Trade Organization (WTO) Parliamentarian Workshop from 11 to 13 June 2019. Co-sponsored by the Temasek Foundation and WTO, the capacity-building workshop saw 54 members of parliament from 22 economies acros ...
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Mongolia’s Foreign Policy Towards Asia
07 Jun 2019
His Excellency Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, gave an RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture on 7 June 2019.
Over the past 20 years, Mongolia has transformed into a vibrant multiparty democracy with a booming economy. It has advanced from an aid recipient to an ...
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The 2019 Indonesian General Elections: Impact and Implications
23 May 2019
On 23 May 2019, the Indonesia Programme at RSIS held a panel discussion on the impact and implications of the recent Indonesian presidential and parliamentary elections. The panelists were Dr Alexander R. Arifianto (Research Fellow), Dr Syafiq Hasyim (Visiting Fellow), Andar Nubowo (Associate ...
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Sixth International Maritime Security Conference
15 May 2019
RSIS and the Republic of Singapore Navy co-organised the 6th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) in May 2019. It was held in conjunction with the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia 2019. The theme of the Conference, “Safe and Secure S ...
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Prof Tariq Modood on Multiculturalism, Religious Diversity and Secularism
13 May 2019
The Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) at RSIS hosted Professor Tariq Modood in Singapore from 13 to 17 May 2019 under the CENS Distinguished Visitors Programme. Prof Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Stu ...
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Visit by Commander of ROK Mobilisation Forces Command
09 May 2019
On 9 May 2019, Major-General Koo Won-Geun, Commander of Mobilisation Forces Command (MFC), Republic of Korea, visited RSIS. He was accompanied by Colonel Cameron Song Sellers, Director of the Army Reserve Engagement Cell–Korea of the 8th Army.
During the visit, MG Koo and his delegation ...
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RSIS students win NTU Three-Minute PhD Thesis Contest
03 May 2019
At the finals of the NTU Three Minute PhD Thesis (3MT) contest held on 3 May 2019, RSIS swept the top awards. Three of RSIS’ PhD candidates — Marthe Memoracion Hinojales, Natallia Khanijo and Lendra Putra Nurezki — made it to the finals of the contest and presented three-minute summaries of th ...