Inequality and the role of technology

The beginning of this article once again illustrates the importance of govt paying heed to the plight of the disadvantaged in the country if they want to maintain social and political stability. Think the recent Little India riot, the protests in Thailand (red shirts neglected), and of course, the Arab Spring! History has shown that when those in power cast a blind eye to the suffering of the poor, displeasure and resentment at the ground level will swell till it reaches tipping point. The French Revolution was sparked off by the peasants as a result of this, as were major empires in Europe and China. In Singapore, it is not just the foreign workers' welfare we have to look after (think Little India riot and the SMRT strike) but also the low income, and the minority races.

Sample Qns:
1. Addressing the income gap should be the main concern of any govt. Discuss.
2. To what extent can technology be used to address the growing income gap?
3. Many countries in the world are paying increasing attention to the needs of the disadvantaged. How far is this true of Singapore?
4. To what extent can science and technology improve the quality of people's lives?