Looks like the issue of elitism that was spawned by the Wee Shu-min affair refuses to die down. A neighbourhood schoolgirl blogged about her opinion of students from prestigious institutions, claiming that people from the so-called elite schools often make snobbish remarks and look down on students from neighbourhood schools.

The reason why I am revisting the elitism issue is simply because I find the entire debate about elitism to be over a very narrow definition. In Singapore’s context, the definition of an elite appears to be one who has attended top secondary and post secondary institutions, won prestigious government scholarships and armed with a top class honours degree. Some of these people might or might not come from rich families, but if the “elite” came from a rich family, the damnation goes up one notch.

Grumbling about elitism is a futile exercise because no matter where one is, elitism is bound to manifest itself. The only difference is the form of manifestation that it takes on. In Singapore, our society is built on the basis of meritocracy, and therefore the elites are those who are able to show measurable achievements. In other words, most of the elites in Singapore are created by the effort of the individual.

Another manifestion of elitism that is very different from ours can be seen just right across the Causeway. Over in Malaysia, most of the elites are born being an elite, regardless of their ability. A certain group of people are conferred elite status by virtue of their ethinicty, and not their ability. Their privileged status allows them life opportunities that some people might not get even if they are exceedingly capable, just because these people are of a different ethnicity.

The point here is all societies have a group of people which the society deems to be elite. I am not sure if this is natural, but it is certainly the truth. The problem with elitism in a society is the definition of an “elite”. In Singapore, our definition of an elite is certainly superior over countries where elitism is conferred on the basis of some physical attribute. At least a person who aspires to join the ranks of the elite has an opportunity to do so.

Singapore’s definition of elitism, although superior to some of our neighbours, is still too narrow in my opinion. We place far too much emphasis on hallmarks of formal education in defining our elite. The Chinese have a saying that goes 三百六十行，行行出状元 (out of 360 different occupations, each will produce a top scholar). As an example, a hawker might not have much formal education, but does this necessarily mean that he/she is less capable than a graduate? I think not. There are many graduates struggling to land jobs, while there are many hawkers who can afford to drive a Mercedes.

I think that for the good of our society, we should expand our definition of elitism. The hawker, having little formal education, might not be able to articulate his/her thoughts and opinions as well as a graduate. However, the difference probably ends there. In terms of producing measurable results, a hawker might not necessary be inferior. We need to get out of the mindset that only graduates are capable.

One of my professors who lived in the United States her entire life until she came to Singapore a year ago to teach always remarked to me at how she is always amazed by the Singaporean taxi driver. Based on her many interactions with Singaporean taxi drivers, she thinks that they are amazingly well-informed and intelligent. It is a shame that an outsider can appreciate the abilities of taxi-drivers, while Singaporeans have the impression that they are of a lower intellectual class.

Perhaps Singapore can start revising its definition of elitism by starting with our Parliament. I presume that each and every Member of Parliament can be considered an elite, since they are leaders of our country. Where are the hawkers, taxi-drivers and technicians in our parliament? Are doctors, economists and lawyers the only groups of people intelligent enough to lead our country? Are we so biased towards certain groups that we confer them the elite status while blinding ourselves to the potential of others?