National service has long been termed a “school for the nation” for its ability to transform identities en masse . Its effects are excerpted primarily through two mechanisms: socialization and contact . Socialization involves the transmission of norms and values . In the case of Singapore’s NS, these include loyalty to th e nation and an emphasis... See more

How do we interpret this analysis? First, we have strong evidence that NS has a profound effect on identity. Conscripts from stay-in units are roughly 17% less likely to advocate intra-ethnic cohesion than their colleagues from stay-out units.

The NS experience is powerful when it is fully immersive. The evidence suggests, in fact, that on average , stay-out unit conscripts do not experience significant changes to their attitudes toward intra- and inter-ethnic interactions. While further research is necessary to determine the precise time frame and conditions necessary for NS to produce... See more