Disciplining “Generation M”: Th e Paradox of Creating a “Local” National Identity in an Era of “Global” Flows

Introduct ion: Th e Anxieties of Globalization for Singapore Singapore takes globalization seriously. Th is is evident from the way in which the city-state continues to mobilize globalization as a “problemspace” (Collier and Ong, 2005) where globalization is heralded to pose more problems for Singapore vis-à-vis its economy and culture. Th ese “problems” are, however, oft en engineered with “solutions” to augment a “legitimatory ideology” (Brown, 2000, p. 96). In other words, when “solutions” are off ered to “problems” facing Singapore, it only refl ects positively the managerial skills of the state and further enhances their legitimacy to intervene and rule.