Singapore as we know is a little dot of an island, highly vulnerable to the economic forces of the huge world beyond her shores. Thus, we the Singaporeans need to be adaptable to changes, flexible to alternatives in the name of self-preservation. So it is by ideologies and policies that the government steers her people towards the path of continued progress. Whenever a wrong move has been made, the government and her people are quick to act to remedy the situation.

In the '70s and early '80s, the government was afraid of a population explosion during the post hippie days. So a policy favoring two- children families was implemented. However, by the '90s, they were quick to change their tune when the population appeared to be increasing at a decreasing rate. Hence, the "Have three (children) if you can afford it " campaign rapidly replaced the dangerously successful "Stop at Two (children)" campaign.

Not only is the human population an important element subject to government strategizing, the car population is always another worry matter. Recently, the government has made it compulsory for car buyers to first purchase a Certificate of Entitlement (COE). This is a piece of document worth S$30,000 (US$18,000) and above. Car buyers will need to purchase a COE whose price will fluctuate according to market forces in addition to the cost of the car. This often comes up to a hefty S$80,000 (US$47,000) for a car. This is a highly effective way of trying to keep the car population down. But somehow, Singaporeans will still struggle for their car, a symbol of wealth and prosperity.