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Having limited land, manpower and natural resources to rest on, Singapore's government decided in the early 1980s to focus on high-level human resource development, knowledge and creativity for long-term economic growth. The subsequent government actions were often framed under the notion of 'knowledge society,' commonly called 'knowledgebased economy.' This paper assesses the construction of knowledge society via Singaporean state activities as a social construct of reality that - in Weber's understanding - orients and motivates actors. It is argued that this construct 'knowledge society,' today is not only a technological and economic programme, but furthermore is offered as means to explain and justify economic and social changes that are taking place. Therewith, it is offered as a visionary guide for collective action and a focal point of collective identity reducing feelings of insecurity and uncertainty in Beck's second modernity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2001, due to Singapore's low level of entrepreneurship, the state introduced an economic policy known as the Technopreneurship 21 programme. Along with many economic incentives and structural changes, the state has also embarked upon an ideological campaign to create a more pro-entrepreneurial society. This study focuses on examining the attitudes of undergraduates towards entrepreneurship as a means of understanding the Singapore state's ability to 'change' mindsets. It finds that although the respondents still feel that Singapore is currently still un-entrepreneurial, they are very positive for the future. Indeed, the undergraduates even felt that the best way for Singapore to become pro-entrepreneurial was for more state intervention. This paper concludes that because of the capacity and capability of the highly interventionist Singapore government, it is a key agent in the process of cultural transition in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asia has come under scholarly focus for the contradictions of rapid development and environmental protection, and the ensuing politics. Most give Singapore a miss because it is a "strange" case that does not fit into a region where affected local peoples, "middle class" activities and developmental states struggle over the exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation. This paper claims that analysis of the "quit" politics of environment in Singapore is instructive, and can correct the materialist bias evident in the understanding of Southeast Asia political economy/ecology. It argues that urban "middle class" environmental activism is a manifestation of resistance to enlarging systems of governance allied with capital. Environmentalism can be seen as a response against the encroachment of the system into the intimate living places of the lifeworld. This response is embedded within an international public sphere that enables environmental politics. These activists derive their motivation and political strength from public moral discursive actions. Environmentalism is a contemporary reflection of a fundamental sociological theme, the discontents' moral struggle for the good society, not necessarily reflecting parochial class interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]