A function is what an institution does. A role is the public purpose its work serves. Explain the connection between the action and the purpose.
The legislature makes and passes laws; in Singapore it comprises the President and Parliament. The executive, including Cabinet, ministries and public agencies, implements and enforces laws. The judiciary, or courts, interprets and applies laws to cases. These different responsibilities provide checks on power: an agency's accusation, for example, does not decide a court case. The institutions also work together.
The roles are maintaining law and order, ensuring citizens' economic and social well-being, and promoting and protecting national interests. More than one function can contribute to a role. A safety rule may need a legal basis, inspections and fair decisions when a case is disputed.
The action-to-purpose link matters. Checking a food seller's storage is useful because safer storage can reduce illness among customers. That explains how enforcement supports well-being; simply naming the agency does not. The same action can also discourage rule-breaking, so one action may serve more than one role.
Worked example: Enforcing a food-safety rule
An agency checks whether a food seller follows a legally required storage temperature and takes authorised action when the rule is broken.
- Checking whether the seller follows the rule and responding when it is broken is enforcement. The agency is carrying out an executive function.
- Safer storage reduces the risk of contaminated food reaching customers, supporting health and social well-being.
- Enforcement can also discourage further breaches and support law and order. To judge its success, look for evidence of compliance and harm, not just the number of inspections.
Watch out for this
Enforcing laws and maintaining law and order mean exactly the same thing.
Enforcement is an action; law and order is a wider purpose. Lawmaking and court decisions also contribute to that purpose.
Check your understanding
Which explanation clearly connects a function with a role?
- The agency is part of the executive, so the programme is successful.
- Officers check compliance with a safety law, which can reduce harmful breaches and protect people's well-being.
- Protecting people's well-being is the process of voting on a Bill.