Surveys and Polls as social development tools

   It is a well known fact that surveys and polls are used to collect information for planning and setting goals. For example see  Housing, healthcare and job security top Singaporeans’ concerns: OSC survey .

The article gives a picture of "Hopes and Dreams for a better Singapore" through a survey.

The article describes a vision (for Singaporeans) with  5 core aspirations:
   Assurance: affordable and accessible basic needs; collective responsibility; early investment for life uncertainties
   Opportunities: good jobs in resilient econonomy; different ways of fulfilling potentials; respect for all regardless of jobs or qualifications
   Purpose: broader definition of success; shared identity embracing diversity; passion to contribute
   Spirit: Strong family and community values; care for the disadvantaged; respect for everyone's dignity
   Trust: constructive and meaningful citizen engagement; trust and accountability; mutual understanding between citizens

And another survey shows :
   Singaporeans, especially those married with children, would choose a more comfortable pace of life over career advancement. This may suggest that family comes before career for these groups.

   In contrast to uses of surveys and polls in Thailand in recent time for different and hidden agendas; while Singaporians are urged to become more enlightened, Thais are ushered past the Golden Age before they reach it.
   Although, no society is uniform and coherent, in facts diversity and random free activities are the norm. Self-interests and conflicts are also prevalent even in advanced societies. Surveys and Polls can serve to reflect the norms of society for comparisons of progress and setting direction for the future.

Next time you happen to get asked by a survey or poll, bear a vision of Thailand in mind before you answer. ;-)