Eco-Governmentality: A Discursive Analysis of State-NGOs-Youth Relations in Singapore

Peili Pey and Md Saidul Islam
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Peili Pey: Division of Sociology, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332, Singapore
Md Saidul Islam: Division of Sociology, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332, Singapore

Social Sciences, 2017, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: This article seeks to address the gap in representing micro-level civil society voices and contribute to literature on state-society relations in Singapore’s environmental movement. Given the present constraints of state-NGO communication and cooperation, the state and NGOs negotiate the restrictions by grooming youths as agents of change. Through in-depth interviews, it explores how environmentalism is represented differently through various discourses by the social actors; state, NGOs and youths. By using eco-governmentality as a framework and through discursive analysis, we argue that state-society cooperation in environmentalism is hindered by lack of clear and effective communication channels, as well as expertise and knowledge barriers. In addition, investing in youths has led to an altered dynamic of state-society relations and a greater variety in discourses on environmental advocacy. Owing to the youths’ capability for spreading social awareness and ideas, this is an area that requires open discussion in order to achieve better state-civil society cooperation.

Keywords: environmentalism; eco-governmentality; youths; state; civil society; discourse; Singapore (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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