Debate on President’s Address: Xie Yao Quan on ‘generative meritocracy’

Meritocracy is both a privilege and responsibility of being Singaporean, said MP Xie Yao Quan in Parliament on Thursday (Apr 20). The privilege is where there is consensus in Singapore that merit is the basic principle determining a person’s station in life and that every individual has the freedom to “chase rainbows” and fulfil their potential. However, this also means each Singaporean has a responsibility to reach back and help those who inevitably cannot keep up. Mr Xie said this is in the collective interest and also a basic responsibility to society at large. He called for “generative meritocracy”, in which an active citizenry embraces its duty to keep meritocracy going and to create a meritocracy in which all are winners. He said the focus must especially be on the next generation - the children of those who have less, to ensure that “the chain of transmission of disadvantages and stymied opportunities” is broken. One way in which every individual can help, he said, is to come forward as mentors to these children.