Statecraft of Lee Kuan Yew, Visionary and Opportunist.

摘要

As the bus marked 'Malaysian Federation' cruised along the roadway of world relations, the driver stopped, turned to one of the passengers and stated, 'Hey fella, this is where you get off.' 'Not so,' replied the passenger, Lee Kuan Yew, 'Singapore intends to continue to ride along as part of the federation created with Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah -- we have no plans for getting off.' 'Too bad,' retorted the Federation driver, 'You are out here and on your own.' In 1959, Singapore gained its autonomy within the British Commonwealth and shortly thereafter, in 1963, joined the Federation of Malaysia. While not quite as abrupt as the above scenario, the Federation ouster of Singapore (effective August 9, 1965) over social and political concerns, including Singapore's rising dominance, confronted Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, with a monumental challenge. The national survival of Singapore was clearly at stake. As Singapore's leading statesman, Lee responded by developing and implementing a comprehensive 'road map,' or vision of Singapore's future, in which the country evolved quickly into an economically self-sufficient society capable of competing and surviving in the worldwide economy. The end or goal was clear, but a paucity of resources made the means of achieving it difficult to perceive. Lee's skill (and luck) as a statesman was instrumental in achieving his strategic goals and is evidenced by Singapore's conversion from an emerging colonial state into a viable nation and economic marvel. Lee's strategic vision focused on three primary objectives: (1) developing economic capabilities that would sustain a viable Singapore, (2) creating national cohesion, and (3) providing for national defense.