Governments: Just Another Form of Business?

I believe that governments are indeed a form of business. Governments like businesses are profit-driven. The distinction between them is that while businesses are motivated by self-interests, governments strive to earn profits in order to serve the citizens of the country. For instance governments reinvest their profits to subsidise mass education. This is similar to how businesses invest in research and development in order to improve product quality. Likewise governments invest in education to improve the “quality of its citizens”.

You have an interesting point of view. Taken from this perspective, governments are indeed another form of business. However if we consider the “ultimate objective” of governments and businesses, it is clear that the two are distinctly different. Businesses ultimately aim to earn as much profits as possible. On the other hand governments at the end of the day endeavour to serve its people to its best ability.

About Economics...

Well the following is not exactly about O level Geography... but someone asked so I have to resopond! :)


Isn't Economics concerning everything in the world? If not, what are the aspects it has no connection with? The Arts?

Economics studies the production, distribution, consumption and trade of goods and services. My point of view is that since goods and services in capitalist countries (like the ones we belong to) are most often than not exchanged for money, Economics is also the study of how money is circulated among different individuals, communities, organisations, businesses etc. Therefore while every part of the world has some kind of economic system in place to manage the flow of money, Economics is not concerned about everything in the world. For instance, Economics will not be overly worried about say an individual's sense of belonging in his/her city, climate change, marine life, disputed borders etc. unless dollars and cents are invloved. For example, the economics of climate change would refer to the cost and benefits (in dollar sense) of accelerating/slowing down global warming. In short, Economics is focused on MONEY...oh well some economists may disagree but that's my opinion :)


Are governments a form of business?

Governments are not a form of business because governments do not strive to make profits. Governments serve the people and preserve the welfare of the people. Thus governments employ civil servants like me to serve you. Governments do not profit from the service and goods they provide. Business on the other hand are profit-driven. Thus everything decision made is based on "cost and sales" including decision on where to locate. Governments however can own businesses that are profit driven. For instance Singapore Airlines and Singtel are majority owned by the Singapore government. :)


What jobs can an Economics graduate do?

Economics is a general degree and not a professional degree. Therefore unlike say Law where one qualifies to be a lawyer upon graduation, an economics graduate is not technically speaking qualified to do a particular job. However their understanding of economic systems may be valued and sought after by companies and government bodies. After all its a MONEY world! :)


Can you teach Economics? Is it difficult for someone who is an expert in Geography to become an expert in Economics?

I will not be able to teach Economics as I am not versed in Economics theory. I can teach Economic Geography though as I am familiar with how Economic Geographers understand economic systems. Its slightly different from how Economists view economic systems. In Geography, we explore more of the interaction among economic spaces and places while in Economics a lot more quantification (calculation, statistics) is invloved. Like all subjects, its always difficult to become an expert. An expert in Economics or Geography usually refers to someone who has spent a considerable amount of time doing nothing but think about his area of specialty and end up with a Phd (doctorate degree). It might be easier for a "Geography Expert" to become an "Economics Expert" but not necessarily.

Why is there nothing posted on neither the GeFAQs nor the GeResources page?

Well, first of all you are wrong in saying that there is NOthing posted on either pages because you are reading SOMEthing now aren't you? (rolls eyes) My respond to this question will probably make me appear inefficient but being the creator of the NMT3F brand, I shall be honest about my "Tjimi" with you. The truth is I am once again as usual up to my neck with other work in addition to tending to your needs at the moment. The truth is all your teachers including me wear many hats and play many roles. I shall not list all my responsibilities and tasks in case I misrepresent my profession and scare away potential teachers among you. The good news is come next week, I will be done with my Sec 3 and 2s. And (sadly) my form class will also be gone. This means I finally can focus 100% on YOU, the NMT3F. So please return and check out for yourself the resources and FAQs posted here. Also check out my NMT3F pillar outside my office where you can view my most up-to-date schedule. From next week onwards you will be my sole responsibility and I will live and breathe you 24 hours. Just call me, sms me or email me if you need help. Take care and don't be too nice to Tjimi because we all should be trying to get rid of him. (By the way Liverpool won yesterday)

Why did you talk at length about various types of tourists from different parts of the world? How is this relevant to our study of tourism?

In the exams, you would most likely be asked to answer these 2 questions.

1. Account for the growth and/or decline of tourist arrivals in the world, Singapore and/or Peninsular Malaysia.

2. Discuss the impacts of tourism development on natural environments (flora and fauna), local communities (society) and/or businesses (economy).

To answer either question well, you need to identify the type and origin of tourists involved. For instance cultural clashes in a rural part of Peninsular Malaysia would more likley be caused between locals and wealthy, non-English/Malay speaking tourists from a faraway developed country. Interaction between locals and say an Indonesian family on their annual end of the year holiday would less likely create simliar problems as both parties are culturally and linguistically much more simliar.

The growth or decline of tourist arrivals is largely due to how various types of tourists from different parts of the world respond to the 3As of tourism in a particular country. Take the construction of the "Singapore Flyer" for instance. Obviously the ATTRACTION of Singapore is enhanced. Whether it would improve tourist arrivals depends a lot on whether it can appeal to as many types of tourists from as many parts of the world. If the ticket prices are exorbitant, so much that only high salaried expatriates in the region can afford, the Singapore Flyer is not going to impact tourist arrivals that much.

Download the most recent article on the "Singapore Flyer" from the GeResources page and think a lot harder on how to use the "type and origin of tourists" to better explain how the "Singapore Flyer" would or would not affect tourist arrivals in Singapore.

Do keep in mind that you are most of the time crafting argumentative and not discursive answers. Your goal should be to CONVINCE instead of merely introducing/describing.