Patriot: One who loves, supports and defends one's country (American Heritage Dictionary)

Yvonne Lim
Night editor

AS YOU turn on the television to watch the National Day Parade at home, or wave that little red-and-white flag in the midst of the excitement at Marina Bay — or perhaps just enjoy the public holiday with family and friends – consider this: Does doing any of this make you any more, or less, of a patriot?

We could have asked that question differently, as we set about our survey of 466 Singaporeans here and abroad to mark the nation's 42nd birthday. We could have just simply asked: "How patriotic are Singaporeans?" — as if there was some fixed formula to calibrate this.

But looking at all the families who turn up in red-and-white face paint to support the footballing Lions, and every 18-year-old male who surrenders part of his life to the military, how do you measure any individual's love for and willingness to stand up for his (or her) country when it truly counts?
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What defines the "country"? Who deserves your allegiance? The state, the community, the physical land, your family?

And who's to say if a "stayer" who votes responsibly, raises his children here, works within "the system" and donates to the needy knows any more about patriotism than the growing number of globe-trotting citizens, who seek opportunities abroad but continue to criticise and defend Singapore beyond her shores?

So, instead of doing the predictable and holding a measuring rod up to Singaporeans, we asked them to tell us: What is important to you about being a citizen? What does this tiny city-state mean to you?

Who, in short, is the new "patriot" — and does that image in the mirror comfort or disturb us?

TO LOVE …

IF Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's worry once was that Singapore would become more like a hotel than a home to its people, here's some heartening news.

Of the resident citizens polled in TODAY's National Day Survey, 76 per cent said they were proud or very proud of being Singaporean - 72 per cent of Singaporeans overseas shared this sentiment.

It was perhaps not a surprise that, when asked to rank the reasons for this bond (they were asked to pick three out of 11 statements), the top pick for both groups was "a place where my friends and family are".

Both also agreed Singapore was where their roots were, however far a-field they ventured – and to a lesser extent, that they'd like to raise and educate their children here.

But is Singapore "a place to live out one's dreams"? Maybe not…

This statement scored the lowest overall ranking among overseas respondents, and not much higher among Singaporeans at home.

Tellingly, overseas citizens felt a more poignant connection to the food and culture of home, than to Singapore as a place that they wanted to live out the rest of their lives – something residents, on the other hand, felt strongly about.

But even if the Singapore Dream isn't shared equally by all, at least, it was clear that few endorsed cynical statements such as "I'm here because I've no choice" or "this is a fallback if I fail it make it elsewhere".

SUPPORT …

Asked what being a supportive citizen meant, there were starkly different answers from the overseas and resident groups.

Generally speaking, resident citizens thought in tangible terms – that you had to be physically here, contributing to the economy and society. That you helped those around you. That you hung out the flag every August, and watched the parade – if not in person - then at least "live" on television.
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Politically, being supportive implied compliance. Back the Government so that it could run the country more effectively. Stay out of trouble, pay your taxes, study hard.
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For the Singaporean living abroad, on the other hand, physical presence was – for obvious reasons – the last thing on their minds.

Rather, being a supportive citizen to them was more likely to mean speaking out critically and constructively – in newspaper forums, in cyberspace, through official channels – if, and when, policies proved inadequate. Or even trying to drive change if they felt something was wrong.

Despite their disagreements with the state on some issues, the Singaporean expatriate felt that it was also important to speak up in defence of Singapore when outsiders criticised her.

Which leads us to the third aspect of patriotism…

AND DEFEND

Are Singaporeans prepared to die for the love of their country?

If the survey results are to be believed, and they were done professionally by Media Research Consultants, just over half of the Singaporeans polled – here and abroad - are willing to lay down their life for their nation.

Should we be disturbed that 23 per cent of overseas citizens and 13.5 per cent of locals do not attach any importance, or willingness, to make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation – the rest aren't sure either way.

Does this mean Singaporeans will refuse to take up arms, or worse, turn tail and run, if a threat loomed?

No, some would argue, pointing to this study's limitations.

Most Singaporeans from the post-65 generation don't feel this urgency because they have never faced the threat of actual hostilities. The real test, will not come in the shape of a survey question, and may well evoke a completely different response when the stark prospect of losing everything is thrust in one's face.

But others worry because they see a young country with a population, which has largely not had its character, nor its patriotism, tested in the fires of war, disaster or real hardship.

They see a people, cultured and conditioned to entrust important decisions to wiser authorities, as they speed down the road of globalisation passing pastures green with opportunities.

Against this broad canvas, one wonders about the character, and characteristics, of the new Singapore "patriot". And if this patriot's ties to country centre solely on factors such as food, family and jobs, or even pure happenstance of birth – can this be enough?