Best content in SAJC11S28 | Diigo

Vocab word: 4. Paltry & 5. Sporadic - 17 views

Aren't you all curious why government workers are paid irregularly?

started by Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12 2 follow-ups, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Vocab word: 6. Doling - 13 views

Happy Birdday too, Jiawei. In this instance, it's important to note that these are state-owned and not commercial banks. So, the government will be involved too.

started by Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12 3 follow-ups, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Vocab word 14 : Gravy Train - 5 views

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started by Ivan Ong on 07 Feb 12 1 follow-up, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Is High Pay the Answer? Is pay the best tool to eliminate corruption? - 30 views

Remember I've banned you all from asking questions in your writing? Dylan ah, please look at your first posting. Humanitarian is used wrongly above. Thanks for the good discussions above. You'v...

started by Dylan Leong on 07 Feb 12 8 follow-ups, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

How Dictators stay in power. - 6 views

www.thedailybeast.com/...-dictator-protection-plan.html

shared by Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12 - No Cached

Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12

2. What are some reasons why dictators managed to hold on to their power for so long? An article that might help in answering this question.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">2. What are some reasons why dictators managed to hold on to their power for so long? An article that might help in answering this question.</div>

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Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12

In this article, the dictators stay in power because they have a tight bond with people of higher control over it's people. It's like they have an underground gang of people who would protect the current dictator in power, and if he ever passes away, someone else would take over power, and rule the same way as their predecessor. There are three reasons given: 1. They have cronies that protect each other. 2. They own the military, that enforces dictatorship, and does the rulers bidding. 3. Corrupted law enforces, spies and private investigators to maintain peaceful following of rules. These three reasons show how dictators have control over a country, and ensures no internal forces are able to overturn his reign.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">In this article, the dictators stay in power because they have a tight bond with people of higher control over it's people. It's like they have an underground gang of people who would protect the current dictator in power, and if he ever passes away, someone else would take over power, and rule the same way as their predecessor. There are three reasons given: 1. They have cronies that protect each other. 2. They own the military, that enforces dictatorship, and does the rulers bidding. 3. Corrupted law enforces, spies and private investigators to maintain peaceful following of rules. These three reasons show how dictators have control over a country, and ensures no internal forces are able to overturn his reign.</div>

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Dylan Leong on 07 Feb 12

Dude, I've also found that there are mainly two clear type of dictators. The Charismatic one and The Oppressive one. The charismatic one is the sly one who will somehow find a way to "mesmerize" their citizens until the people will simply worship and adore them without even noticing they are being oppressed. While in the mean time, getting their secret police to eliminate all political rivals. Not mainly on those who set their sights on the throne of power but more so on those who are planning and able to open the citizen's eyes to the truth about the dictator and what is really happening around. The oppressive one will just set out to strike fear in everyone. They rule with tyranny and will stop at nothing to eliminate those who plan on or are against their rule. The people of their rule will thus fear them and will not dare rise up against them. Rebellion will never be tolerated, only obedience counts.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Dude, I've also found that there are mainly two clear type of dictators. The Charismatic one and The Oppressive one. The charismatic one is the sly one who will somehow find a way to "mesmerize" their citizens until the people will simply worship and adore them without even noticing they are being oppressed. While in the mean time, getting their secret police to eliminate all political rivals. Not mainly on those who set their sights on the throne of power but more so on those who are planning and able to open the citizen's eyes to the truth about the dictator and what is really happening around. The oppressive one will just set out to strike fear in everyone. They rule with tyranny and will stop at nothing to eliminate those who plan on or are against their rule. The people of their rule will thus fear them and will not dare rise up against them. Rebellion will never be tolerated, only obedience counts.</div>

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Jiawei Tan on 07 Feb 12

So essentially, dictators stay in power because they can control the citizens in the country, either by mesmerising them, or scaring them. But isn't that really how they became to power in the first place. They must have a way to have the citizens in constant fear or be consistently mesmerised, so as not to lose that power. So maybe these dictators really just control all activities, and any activity found suspicious of going against government would be immediately stopped, and people involved would be punished harshly, and publicly, to strike fear in all people. So ultimately, it's fear that keeps them in power, right?

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">So essentially, dictators stay in power because they can control the citizens in the country, either by mesmerising them, or scaring them. But isn't that really how they became to power in the first place. They must have a way to have the citizens in constant fear or be consistently mesmerised, so as not to lose that power. So maybe these dictators really just control all activities, and any activity found suspicious of going against government would be immediately stopped, and people involved would be punished harshly, and publicly, to strike fear in all people. So ultimately, it's fear that keeps them in power, right?</div>

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Shi Min Koh on 07 Feb 12

I agree that fear keeps the dictators in power. However, fear may also lead to resentment among the oppressed people and eventually, there will be someone who from the crowd to rebel against the dictatorship. So other than fear, i think that dictators can stay in power due to strong censorship. For example, censorship in North Korea. During the world cup, North Korea's soccer team has suffered a humiliating defeat of 7-0 to Portugal. However, the North Korean TV reporters had excluded the loss of the team and other pieces of news that boosts the image of then leader, Kim Jong Il has been reported. Examples include, "Kim Jong Il's Feats Lauded In Various Countries," "US, Provoker of Korean War," and "Revenge-vowing Meetings Held". So other then fear, it is censorship that helps to control the citizens. By limiting information from the citizens, the citizens remain narrow-minded and they fear to break apart from their current lifestyles. They feel that their leader has been doing a great job, bringing about great prosperity to the nation (refer to Kim Jong Il's newspaper reports) . Although these people are not given a alternative government, however, given a chance, these people, who have been brainwashed about their leader's might may not want a alternative. This, through censorship, the dictators "control" the thinking of their people and "mesmerize" them and follow the rule of dictatorship.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I agree that fear keeps the dictators in power. However, fear may also lead to resentment among the oppressed people and eventually, there will be someone who from the crowd to rebel against the dictatorship. So other than fear, i think that dictators can stay in power due to strong censorship. For example, censorship in North Korea. During the world cup, North Korea's soccer team has suffered a humiliating defeat of 7-0 to Portugal. However, the North Korean TV reporters had excluded the loss of the team and other pieces of news that boosts the image of then leader, Kim Jong Il has been reported. Examples include, "Kim Jong Il's Feats Lauded In Various Countries," "US, Provoker of Korean War," and "Revenge-vowing Meetings Held". So other then fear, it is censorship that helps to control the citizens. By limiting information from the citizens, the citizens remain narrow-minded and they fear to break apart from their current lifestyles. They feel that their leader has been doing a great job, bringing about great prosperity to the nation (refer to Kim Jong Il's newspaper reports) . Although these people are not given a alternative government, however, given a chance, these people, who have been brainwashed about their leader's might may not want a alternative. This, through censorship, the dictators "control" the thinking of their people and "mesmerize" them and follow the rule of dictatorship.</div>

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moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Thank you, Jiawei. That was a good article. "Mesmerise" is used wrongly. Please check the dictionary. The article is based mostly on the Middle East's dictators. (So I'm glad that Shi Min brought up North Korea.) It is still a good article because it explores several methods of oppression. In North Korea's case, other than their heavy censorship, propaganda that is aimed at brainwashing the N Koreans to revere their leaders as gods has proven to be very effective. But one can argue that fear plays a vital role in authoritarian regimes. As the article suggests, the one in power could very well be the big mafia godfather!

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Thank you, Jiawei. That was a good article. "Mesmerise" is used wrongly. Please check the dictionary. The article is based mostly on the Middle East's dictators. (So I'm glad that Shi Min brought up North Korea.) It is still a good article because it explores several methods of oppression. In North Korea's case, other than their heavy censorship, propaganda that is aimed at brainwashing the N Koreans to revere their leaders as gods has proven to be very effective. But one can argue that fear plays a vital role in authoritarian regimes. As the article suggests, the one in power could very well be the big mafia godfather!</div>

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Watchdog Groups (para 4) - (a) What are the functions of these groups? (b) Name me som... - 22 views

With regard to #3 Christian, Amnesty International did NOT release Ms Suu Kyi -- it's the dictatorial junta that got her arrested and only released her recently.

started by Nicole Yap on 07 Feb 12 5 follow-ups, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Why Singapore Has the Cleanest Government Money Can Buy: View - Bloomberg - 7 views

www.bloomberg.com/...rnment-money-can-buy-view.html

shared by Syeda Mahera on 07 Feb 12 - No Cached

- Syeda Mahera on 07 Feb 12
  
  Graft - corrupt practices i.e. Sweeping measures are being taken to curb official graft.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Graft - corrupt practices i.e. Sweeping measures are being taken to curb official graft.</div>
  
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- Syeda Mahera on 07 Feb 12
  
  Muckraking - the action of searching out and publicizing scandalous information about famous people in an underhanded way.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Muckraking - the action of searching out and publicizing scandalous information about famous people in an underhanded way.</div>
  
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- moses tan on 07 Feb 12
  
  That's great that you included the element of underhandedness. Without that, the answer would be wrong.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">That's great that you included the element of underhandedness. Without that, the answer would be wrong.</div>
  
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1. Barack Obama is Paid $400,000 (start of para 2) - Lee Hsien Loong (LHL) is paid $3.1... - 13 views

So, to close off, the point of this question is to make you all realise that BO probably shoulders much more responsibilities than LHL, even if it's just for the fact that USA is the only superpowe...

started by Ivan Ong on 07 Feb 12 3 follow-ups, last by moses tan on 07 Feb 12

Does higher pay mean more responsibility? - 31 views

Though LHS has a higher pay, it does not mean he has more responsibilities. Every government's role is to keep its country on the right track and implement policies that help the country to remain ...

started by koh enyan on 07 Feb 12 7 follow-ups, last by nur atiqah on 07 Feb 12

vocab 13 - 1 views

Collusion - Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, esp. in order to cheat or deceive others.

started by Lisa Chelliah on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

vocab word 1 - 3 views

Graft: Unscrupulous use of one's position to derive profit or advantages; extortion. In this context: Singapore's ministers are paid top salaries to prevent them from being tempted to engage in co...

started by Krystle Tang on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab 12 - 2 views

bureaucrats: officials who work fixed routine without exercising intelligent judgement. In this context, the term is used negatively to described how petty and narrow-minded the Japan officials ar...

started by nur atiqah on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab Word #21 - 2 views

Ramrod - to accomplish or put into action by force In this context: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau was formed without much approval. Therefore, i think, emphasizing how pragmatic Singa...

started by syafiq bidin on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab word 21 and 22 - 5 views

In this context, Singapore has a strict disciplinarian, that has been instilled by our prime minister.

started by nur atiqah on 07 Feb 12 1 follow-up, last by nur atiqah on 07 Feb 12

Vocab words #11 - 2 views

Slush funds- Grants or anything similar that does not have a designated purpose, and which are most of the time, illegal. In this context- slush funds refer to money used by some bureaucrats in J...

started by Dylan Leong on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab word #17 probity - 4 views

Probity - integrity and uprightness. honesty Politicians who govern the country must uphold the values of probity.

started by Eileen Teo on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab words #7 - 3 views

Cronies- Close friends or companions. In the context of these question, it could mean close associates of the state owned banks in China who are both closely involved in the corruption act.

started by Dylan Leong on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab words #18 - 4 views

Hotbed - An environment conducive to vigorous growth or development, especially of something undesirable In this context: Singapore is not particularly conducive for exposing anti-corruption pract...

started by clara seit on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab words #16 - 3 views

Paragon/s (of virtues) Paragon - model or pattern of excellence. In the context of the question, the paragons of virtues refers to the individuals who exhibits moral excellence and goodness.

started by Shi Min Koh on 07 Feb 12 no follow-up yet

Vocab words #10 - 4 views

Prestige - reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes. In the context of the question, government career is a highly reputable and respected occ...