Singapore should learn from Venice; the concentration of power in a few led to the fall

The rise and fall of Venice as the first naval and economic power of the Mediterranean from the beginning of the 12th century to the end of the 18th century is an example for Singapore because it allows this city-state to draw lessons from its governance.
In his article, Leslie Fong, former editor-in-chief of the Straits Times, drew two lessons that Singapore can hope to use.

He wrote: "Venice became a great maritime empire (Stato da Mar in Venetian dialect) because it gave its citizens the floor in their governance and a chance to participate in its growing prosperity. Mr. Fong added that a lottery would be organized to select candidates for the council candidates, on which the Venetians would vote afterwards.

He also said that people had the opportunity "to buy a small stake in any trip organized by established merchants and earn money if the goods brought were sold for profit. This has opened the economy to all citizens concerned with calculating risks, returns and profits, for example by sailing in Morocco or Turkey for aromatic purposes.

With regard to Singapore, he then asked the following question: "Do Singaporeans feel they have a say, beyond ordinary general elections, about how they are governed and whether they have ideas? on the policies that affect their lives, are they heard?
Second, is the sharing of Singapore's economic successes sufficiently broad and deep and, if not, how should Singapore address this disparity without undermining the country's competitiveness and growth prospects? "

Mr. Fong also drew another relevant lesson: "Venice sealed its destiny by concentrating all political and economic power in the hands of a minority."

He added that while there were perhaps other factors at stake regarding the fall of Venice, the fall of Venice began after the "law limiting the accession of the Grand Advice to the male descendants of noble families already represented in the body ".

He wrote: "If Singaporeans need an additional example, and Asian, of the political stratification and concentration of all powers in the hands of the few who have slaughtered an empire, they might want to consider China under the Han Dynasty ".

"There is no guestbook in Singapore, but I know that some Singaporeans are alienated by what they consider to be a ruling class of elites, who often say that they have thought of everything and that they disdain contrary opinions.
In this regard, I welcome the ruling party's latest assertion that it wants to be inclusive and maintain a shared space where differences can be expressed without eroding social cohesion, "he concluded.