Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 143

Special Editions

Social Development and Social Integration
Social development has many facets and this paper adopts the framework
set at the World Summit for Social Development in 1995 where the model
includes translating economic benefits into social well-being. There are
three key aspects of measuring the social well-being of a country: poverty
eradication, employment and social integration. This paper documents the
social progress made in Singapore using social development as a viable
approach to building human capacities. The approach is to have forward
planning, to strike an equilibrium in human development by investing in
education and training and on job development and to stimulate a climate
for both economic and social growth.
Economic growth as a driving force has lifted hundreds of millions of people
in the world out of poverty and has improved the lives of many more over
the last half-century. Yet it is increasingly clear that a society which fails to
address basic human needs, to equip its citizens to improve their quality
of life, to protect the environment, and to provide opportunity for many of
its citizens has limitations for social progress (Porter, Stern, & Green, 2014).
Inclusive growth requires both economic and social progress. It is evident
that a model of human development based on economic progress alone
is incomplete (Porter et al., 2014). Progress has to be measured on various
dimensions of social and environmental performance although many aspects
of social progress do tend to improve with income growth.
Bounded closely with the concept of social development is that of social
integration. Where there is an imbalance between economic growth and
social progress, political instability and unrest often arise. Lagging social
progress holds back economic growth and hence it is important that the
relationship between social development and social integration is examined
in terms of how each feeds into the other for progress to take place in a
society.
We can trace the emphasis on social development in addressing human
needs, building social capital, and creating opportunity for citizens to
Singapore’s early history, especially her post-colonial days. For progress to
take place, investments were made in the social well-being of people despite
the limited resources. Social welfare institutions such as housing, healthcare
and educational institutions were often used to respond to the needs of
the society and its people. These basic human needs were foundational to
having a labour force which is central to economic development. Focusing
on addressing basic human needs was necessary but not sufficient in
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