People Matter: Essays by David Chan

Our society, policies and politics have become more complex and volatile. David Chan has been an astute observer of this evolution. His insights on behavioural economics and social psychology have been especially relevant to the issues of the day. I always take his suggestions seriously. -- Dr Vivian Balakrishnan "Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore"
People is at the heart of everything we do. Whether in the social, economic or political spheres, it is about the people. This book provides useful perspectives about the way people think, feel and act - these are critical considerations relevant to our policy making and nation building -- Mr Chan Chun Sing "Minister for Social and Family Development & Second Minister for Defence, Singapore, Deputy Secretary-General of National Trades Union Congress"
Through his book, David looks at - and looks out for - Singaporeans by addressing our most pertinent concerns. He writes with a strong focus on serving the people, and boldly challenges Singaporeans today with daring hopes for the future of our nation. -- Mr Heng Swee Keat "Minister for Education, Singapore"
I have found Professor Chan's essays relevant as they often contain valuable insights. Policy making is about addressing Singaporeans' needs and helping them live a meaningful life. We care a lot about Singaporeans, and their long term future in a challenging world. -- Mr Khaw Boon Wan "Minister for National Development, Singapore"
David is a well-known scholar in industrial and organizational psychology. His research and writing is on a wide range of public policy issues. He analyses issues from multiple perspectives. We need reasoned debate and feasible solutions on issues that affect us all. David's work will be a valuable addition to that. -- Mr K Shanmugam "Minister for Foreign Affairs & Minister for Law, Singapore"
We all know that in any institution, it is the people within that institution that finally matters. This is even more so for Singapore, given its paucity of natural and strategic resources, other than human talent. -- Professor Freddy Boey "Deputy President and Provost, Nanyang Technological University"
This collection of essays by David Chan is a useful introduction to some of the key contemporary socio-economic and political issues of Singapore. David discusses them thoughtfully and frankly through the lenses of a psychologist and social scientist. -- Professor Chan Heng Chee "Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design"
A wide-ranging collection of analytical essays by a highly established behavioural scientist, People Matter examines critically the psychological and behavioural implications of current political, social, and economic policies of Singapore. This book is thought provoking, insightful, and enjoyable to read. -- Professor Chong Tow Chong "Provost, Singapore University of Technology and Design"
Developing Singapore requires more than good economic policies or investments in infrastructure and hard technology. Firmly anchored in behavioural sciences, and with a passion for Singapore, David Chan explains in this series of essays how people's perceptions and feelings, and the ensuing behaviours influence the development of a society. -- Professor Arnoud De Meyer "President, Singapore Management University"
This book provides a valuable perspective. David Chan is an indispensable guide in thinking about Singapore's future in light of major shifts in its social fabric. -- Mr Janadas Devan "Director, Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore"
Professor David Chan's essays are always worth reading. He has a knack of summarising complex problems in simple terms that go to the heart of the issue. Professor Chan is by far Singapore's most distinguished behavioural scientist. -- Dr John Elliott "Associate Professor of Psychology, National University of Singapore"
The essays analyse some critical and controversial issues that have been seizing the attention of policy makers and the public for several years. What separate the essays from many other writings on similar topics are the professional insights, principled perspectives and practical recommendations that David brings to the issues. -- Professor Tommy Koh "Ambassador-At-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore"
In Singapore's early struggling years, the key goal was survival. Now, we have gone from Third World to First World. Our citizens expect more from their lives. Material rewards are not enough. Happiness and well-being are now necessities, not luxuries. -- Professor Kishore Mahbubani "Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Author of The Great Convergence: Asia, the West and the Logic of One World"
People Matter is a fascinating collection of essays that demonstrate Professor David Chan's active curiosity, broad range of interests, and warm empathy for his fellow citizen. -- Professor Tan Chorh Chuan "President, National University of Singapore"
This collection of essays addresses a wide range of sentiments and concerns that have exercised Singaporeans from all walks of life in the past few years. -- Professor Tan Tai Yong "Nominated Member of Parliament, Executive Vice President (Academic Affairs), Yale-NUS College"
Singapore is 50 and as we ponder over what the next 50 years will bring, besides further economic progress, what will also determine our future is the kind of society we will build. David Chan has contributed eloquently to this discussion through a series of thoughtful essays he has published in the Straits Times. -- Professor Tan Thiam Soon "President, Singapore Institute of Technology"
First published as 'think' pieces in The Straits Times, this collection of essays gets straight to the heart of people-to-people and government-and-people relations in Singapore. -- Professor Brenda Yeoh "Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore"
In each of these very readable essays, David Chan skillfully uses the psychologist's toolbox of theory and evidence to shed light on a range of highly relevant national issues such as population priorities, immigration, trust, shared values, democracy and public disagreements. -- Mr Yeoh Lam Keong "Adjunct Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore"
David's essays help readers understand why people behave the way they do. His data-driven approach is particularly reassuring for those who are used to rational decisions, logic and cost-benefit analyses, and provides them with valuable insights into the Singapore psyche and subjective considerations such as happiness and envy. -- Mr Beh Swan Gin "Chairman, Economic Development Board, Singapore"
These essays reflect David Chan's unique blend of intellect, passion and professional insight. They should be read by anyone interested in Singapore and its future. -- Mr Peter Ho "Chairman, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore"
Leadership, in the end, must do good for the lives of the people who are affected.People Matter is about what matters to people and why this matters to policy making. In this series of essays, David Chan gets to the heart of the debate, offers new perspectives, and provides useful solutions. -- Mr Lim Siong Guan "Group President, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, Author of The Leader, The Teacher & You"
David Chan has the knack of identifying the critical issues underlying Singapore society and public policy, apply his research in behavioural sciences and write cogently to stimulate thinking and debate. -- Mr Peter Ong "Head, Singapore Civil Service"
David is one of the most astute observers of the social and political transformation taking place in Singapore today. His comments are balanced, fair and perceptive, derived from his background as an academic and former public servant. -- Mr Eddie Teo "Chairman, Public Service Commission, Singapore"
Professor David Chan has brought his strong academic background in the behavioural sciences to the daily lives of Singaporeans with his series of essays which have a common theme, People Matter, as he calls his own works. -- Mr Ho Kwon Ping "Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings"
The subjects of David's essays are diverse and many touch on issues that are close to the heart of Singaporeans. Besides focusing on people and social behaviour in an in-depth and engaging manner, David is truly skilled in addressing many of the issues with a balanced viewpoint, and is able to articulate his thoughts in a sensible way. -- Mr Kwek Leng Joo "Deputy Chairman, City Developments Ltd"
In this series of essays, Professor David Chan used his deep understanding of human nature and behaviour to perform a lucid and incisive analysis of Singapore society. He provided original and important insights that will capture the attention of all who care about Singapore. -- Mr Lim Hock San "President and CEO, United Industrial Corporation Ltd"
David Chan is one of Singapore's most astute and thoughtful commentators on the pulse of Singapore. An eminent behavioural scientist, he has applied the tools of his trade to analysing Singapore as both a city and a country. -- Dr Jeremy Lim "Partner and Head, Health & Life Sciences Practice, Asia Pacific, Oliver Wyman, Author of Myth or Magic: The Singapore Healthcare System"
David is a keen observer of the socio-political happenings in Singapore in recent years. He diagnoses these events from the perspective of a psychologist, supported by theories, research findings and some personal experiences. -- Dr Liu Thai Ker "Director, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd"
I have known David for several years, and have always found discussions with him insightful, stimulating and thought-provoking. David is always looking at society and people's behavior in an analytical and empirical manner. -- Ms Debra Soon "Managing Director, Channel NewsAsia, MediaCorp Pte Ltd"
I have always enjoyed reading David Chan's deep insights into sometimes complex issues that he unravels with literary ease. From one article to the next, on subjects ranging from Singaporean's well-being to population growth, David has always stimulated thinking and truly relates and resonates! -- Mrs Mildred Tan "Managing Director, Ernst & Young Advisory Pte Ltd"
These essays by David Chan on contemporary domestic issues are written in a thoughtful way free of the emotions which all too often accompany many of the pieces on the same subjects in the social media today. Like the rest of the world, Singapore society is changing and throwing up new challenges. There are no easy solutions, only hard choices. -- Mr George Yeo "Chairman, Kerry Logistics Network & Vice Chairman, Kerry Group"
I would look out for and read David's articles in The Straits Times when they first appeared. I like the interesting and persuasive way in which he describes the social and psychological dynamics in Singapore society especially those related to policy making and public reactions to policy. This is a collection well worth re-reading. -- Mr Willie Cheng "Chairman, Singapore Institute of Directors, Author of Doing Good Well"
David's essays are always thought provoking. You will be nodding your head to some of his points, pondering on some, and quite often wonder why you never thought of the point he made. I always look forward to his latest installment and I am glad that his essays have been compiled into a book for ease of a revisit. -- Mr Gerard Ee "President, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants"
David is a leading light on human psychology and how it applies to public policy. Fused with his love for Singapore, this compilation of essays is a must-read for all who care for the country. David is insightful in his diagnosis and practical in his recommendations. -- Mr Laurence Lien "Chairman, Lien Foundation"
People Matter by David Chan is indeed an impressive piece of work covering critical social issues facing the Singapore community currently and in future. It also carries many analyses which have implications for social policies in the context of the changing social and political landscapes of Singapore. The publication is worthy of reading by students, academics, researchers, policy makers, and readers who are interested in people issues. -- Dr S Vasoo "Associate Professorial Fellow of Social Work, National University of Singapore"
In this collection of essays, Professor David Chan captures issues that Singaporeans talk about at coffee shops, around family discussions and at the workplace. His empathetic understanding is accompanied by his ability to integrate macro and micro perspectives of the topical issues. -- Dr Sudha Nair "Executive Director, PAVE"
On those days when his essays appeared in The Straits Times Professor David Chan provided the interested public with "Wow-must-leave-time-to-read-this-one." He has thus played a significant role in meeting the need of the generally educated reader for appropriate intellectual 'meat' to chew on. -- Mrs Ann Elizabeth Wee "Associate Professorial Fellow of Social Work, National University of Singapore"