Using Policy to Engineer Identity: How Singapore's National Service Shapes Ethnic and Civic Identities to Reduce the Divisive Potential of Ethnic Diversity

• DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2369548
• Publication Date: 2013-12-25T16:01:28Z
• Authors: Kai Ostwald
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology; 10. No inequality

Extensive research has associated ethnic diversity with a range of negative outcomes. But only affects outcomes when it forms the basis social or political division. Can public policy shape identity in ways that reduces divisiveness difference? This paper provides evidence suggests Singapore’s National Service program altered attitudes and behaviors conscripts way may achieve goal. I leverage exogenous variation intensity two unit types for causal identification. Indirect measures are employed to reduce risk measurement bias. While additional data through ongoing work is necessary reach final conclusions, existing findings demonstrate potential offer insights on conditions.