29 May 2026
WP350 | CRISIS: More Than a Moment – COVID-19 and How to Respond to Types of Crises as They Unfold
Abstract
Crises do not unfold in a single form. Some emerge as sudden shocks requiring immediate containment, while others evolve more fluidly as they become entangled with background domestic pressures. At the furthest end of the spectrum are fully convergent crises, which generate prolonged and simultaneous strains across multiple systems. Using Singapore’s crisis history since independence, this paper develops a typology of sudden, fluid, and convergent crises to examine how different forms of disruption place distinct demands on governance. It positions the typology as a diagnostic tool for recognising shifts in crisis form, and argues that crisis resilience depends also on recalibrating policy capacities accordingly.
Abstract
Crises do not unfold in a single form. Some emerge as sudden shocks requiring immediate containment, while others evolve more fluidly as they become entangled with background domestic pressures. At the furthest end of the spectrum are fully convergent crises, which generate prolonged and simultaneous strains across multiple systems. Using Singapore’s crisis history since independence, this paper develops a typology of sudden, fluid, and convergent crises to examine how different forms of disruption place distinct demands on governance. It positions the typology as a diagnostic tool for recognising shifts in crisis form, and argues that crisis resilience depends also on recalibrating policy capacities accordingly.
