ABSTRACT
After a concept-heavy Chapter 3, this interlude offers a light-hearted description of the sights and sounds of that quintessential rite of nation-building, the National Day Parade, and shows how early arrival at the venue reflects the Singaporean national trait of fear of losing out. As an expression of state ideological hegemony, the parade suspends the rules that govern everyday social interactions, and creates a sense of community by reinforcing national cohesion. However, hegemony can never be complete, so even such a generally well-loved national rite is often met with implicit resistance among the participants and Singaporeans at large.
