CONTENT FAQS
What's the difference between the concept of state and nation?
The 'state' refers to the government machinery of a country. Examples of these structures are a system of tax, laws and communication channels.
On the other hand, the 'nation' emphasises the affective identity of a people. Traditionally, people with common lineage, culture and belief are regarded as a nation. In modern context, this concept embraces anything common, such as historical experiences, values or even vision for the future. Because of this understanding, a nation can be built or constructed. This understanding develops from the needs of countries to unite their diverse population. For instance, many would regard the USA as a nation because the people share the American dream. Japan, on the other hand, is a more homogenous society. Thus the notion of it as a nation is less ambiguous. However, with people becoming more affluent and mobile, the need to enhance this sense of sameness also heightens.
Note: Sometimes, the terms 'nation' and 'nation-state' are used interchangeably. The context in which they are used will determine the meaning it carries.
How did the countries of Ghana, Mozambique, India and Timor Leste gain their independence?
Ghana
As early as 1821, trading activities brought the British to Ghana, a place known for its gold deposits, and they began to build settlements there. Ghana was known as Gold Coast then. The movement for Ghana's independence which began in the 1920s gained momentum in the 1940s when a peaceful protest for better treatment was intervened by the police and turned violent. Ghana became independent in 1957. It was the first state in the African continent to do so.
Mozambique
Mozambique is one of the countries found on the east coast of the African continent. It was a colony of Portugal and became independent in 1975. In the first 17 years of its independence, a civil war tore the country apart and its people lived in extreme poverty and violence. They often became the victims of war between rivalling political parties. Many people fled the country to avoid the violence. Peace was finally restored in 1992 following an agreement between the two rivalling political parties.
India
India was one of Britain's most prized colonies in Asia. The first British outpost was established in 1619 and by the 1850s, Britain had almost full control of India. The Indians never really submitted to the rule of the British and resistance against British rule in the form of acts of violence were common. The movement for independence in India began as early as 1885 with the establishment of the Indian National Congress which pressed for the return of power to the Indians. The Muslims in India formed the All India Muslim League in 1906 which wanted the formation of a separate Muslim state. One of the most famous Indian leaders was Mahatma Gandhi who promoted the use of non-violent means to fight for India's independence. In 1947, with the British unable to contain or quell the violence in India between the Hindus and Muslims, India was granted independence and Jawaharlal Nehru became its first Prime Minister. Pakistan was formed as a separate state for the Muslims and its struggle with India over Kashmir has its roots in the events leading to the independence of India.
Timor Leste
Timor Leste was known as East Timor before it obtained its independence in 2002. It used to be a Portuguese colony before the movement for its independence began in the 1960s. When the Portuguese finally left, Indonesia, its immediate neighbour, sent its military to occupy East Timor by force. During the rule of the Indonesian government, the people of East Timor continued their fight for independence. In 1999, with the support of the United Nations (UN), a referendum was held and the people voted for self-rule. Timor Leste is a unique case because in the three years when it was preparing for independence, it was ruled by the UN.
What was different about Singapore's and Malaysia's approach to politics that resulted in their Separation?
One of the fundamental disagreements between Singapore and Malaysia was the governments' approach to politics. The leading political party in Malaysia was the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which supported communalism in politics. This meant that the membership and organisation of political parties in Malaysia were along racial lines. Other than the belief that the interests and needs of the people were best represented by leaders of their own race, the more important reason that led to such a development was the conditions in Malaya (the term Malaysia was known as prior to its independence in 1948). Although the Malays were the majority race, the economic lifeline of the country was in the hands of the Chinese. To win the support of the majority of the electorate, UMNO had to ensure that the privileges and interests of the Malays were protected. To balance the need to address the interests of the Chinese and Indians, other political parties were also formed along racial lines. Examples of such political parties were the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) to represent the Chinese, and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) to represent the Indians.
The leading political party in Singapore, the People's Action Party (PAP), was operating along non-communal lines. This was because it believed that communalism would segregate the different ethnic groups in Singapore. Although a Chinese dominant society, the PAP believed that the interests of the electorate would be best represented if people of different ethnic groups were members of the same political party.
Although there were differences over economic issues, the difference between the two governments was fundamentally an issue of conflicting political approach. The survival of one could not tolerate the existence of another within the same polity. As a result, to prevent further loss of lives with the outbreak of the 1964 race riots, Singapore was separated from Malaysia in 1965.
What is the national coat of arms?
The coat of arms of Singapore consists of a shield emblazoned with a white crescent moon and five white stars against a red background. Supporting the shield are a lion on the left and a tiger on the right. Below the shield is a banner inscribed with the Republic’ s motto: Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore). The lion represents Singapore itself and the tiger the island's historical links with Malaysia.
The 'state' refers to the government machinery of a country. Examples of these structures are a system of tax, laws and communication channels.
On the other hand, the 'nation' emphasises the affective identity of a people. Traditionally, people with common lineage, culture and belief are regarded as a nation. In modern context, this concept embraces anything common, such as historical experiences, values or even vision for the future. Because of this understanding, a nation can be built or constructed. This understanding develops from the needs of countries to unite their diverse population. For instance, many would regard the USA as a nation because the people share the American dream. Japan, on the other hand, is a more homogenous society. Thus the notion of it as a nation is less ambiguous. However, with people becoming more affluent and mobile, the need to enhance this sense of sameness also heightens.
Note: Sometimes, the terms 'nation' and 'nation-state' are used interchangeably. The context in which they are used will determine the meaning it carries.
How did the countries of Ghana, Mozambique, India and Timor Leste gain their independence?
Ghana
As early as 1821, trading activities brought the British to Ghana, a place known for its gold deposits, and they began to build settlements there. Ghana was known as Gold Coast then. The movement for Ghana's independence which began in the 1920s gained momentum in the 1940s when a peaceful protest for better treatment was intervened by the police and turned violent. Ghana became independent in 1957. It was the first state in the African continent to do so.
Mozambique
Mozambique is one of the countries found on the east coast of the African continent. It was a colony of Portugal and became independent in 1975. In the first 17 years of its independence, a civil war tore the country apart and its people lived in extreme poverty and violence. They often became the victims of war between rivalling political parties. Many people fled the country to avoid the violence. Peace was finally restored in 1992 following an agreement between the two rivalling political parties.
India
India was one of Britain's most prized colonies in Asia. The first British outpost was established in 1619 and by the 1850s, Britain had almost full control of India. The Indians never really submitted to the rule of the British and resistance against British rule in the form of acts of violence were common. The movement for independence in India began as early as 1885 with the establishment of the Indian National Congress which pressed for the return of power to the Indians. The Muslims in India formed the All India Muslim League in 1906 which wanted the formation of a separate Muslim state. One of the most famous Indian leaders was Mahatma Gandhi who promoted the use of non-violent means to fight for India's independence. In 1947, with the British unable to contain or quell the violence in India between the Hindus and Muslims, India was granted independence and Jawaharlal Nehru became its first Prime Minister. Pakistan was formed as a separate state for the Muslims and its struggle with India over Kashmir has its roots in the events leading to the independence of India.
Timor Leste
Timor Leste was known as East Timor before it obtained its independence in 2002. It used to be a Portuguese colony before the movement for its independence began in the 1960s. When the Portuguese finally left, Indonesia, its immediate neighbour, sent its military to occupy East Timor by force. During the rule of the Indonesian government, the people of East Timor continued their fight for independence. In 1999, with the support of the United Nations (UN), a referendum was held and the people voted for self-rule. Timor Leste is a unique case because in the three years when it was preparing for independence, it was ruled by the UN.
What was different about Singapore's and Malaysia's approach to politics that resulted in their Separation?
One of the fundamental disagreements between Singapore and Malaysia was the governments' approach to politics. The leading political party in Malaysia was the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which supported communalism in politics. This meant that the membership and organisation of political parties in Malaysia were along racial lines. Other than the belief that the interests and needs of the people were best represented by leaders of their own race, the more important reason that led to such a development was the conditions in Malaya (the term Malaysia was known as prior to its independence in 1948). Although the Malays were the majority race, the economic lifeline of the country was in the hands of the Chinese. To win the support of the majority of the electorate, UMNO had to ensure that the privileges and interests of the Malays were protected. To balance the need to address the interests of the Chinese and Indians, other political parties were also formed along racial lines. Examples of such political parties were the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) to represent the Chinese, and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) to represent the Indians.
The leading political party in Singapore, the People's Action Party (PAP), was operating along non-communal lines. This was because it believed that communalism would segregate the different ethnic groups in Singapore. Although a Chinese dominant society, the PAP believed that the interests of the electorate would be best represented if people of different ethnic groups were members of the same political party.
Although there were differences over economic issues, the difference between the two governments was fundamentally an issue of conflicting political approach. The survival of one could not tolerate the existence of another within the same polity. As a result, to prevent further loss of lives with the outbreak of the 1964 race riots, Singapore was separated from Malaysia in 1965.
What is the national coat of arms?
The coat of arms of Singapore consists of a shield emblazoned with a white crescent moon and five white stars against a red background. Supporting the shield are a lion on the left and a tiger on the right. Below the shield is a banner inscribed with the Republic’ s motto: Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore). The lion represents Singapore itself and the tiger the island's historical links with Malaysia.
