Lee Kuan Yew: Master Builder of Singapore.

摘要

Some nation states are born out of revolution. Others arise through conquest or post-war partition of larger states by victors. Few, however, have independence forced upon them as Singapore did. On August 9, 1965, after several stormy years attempting to integrate in a post-colonial federation, it was unexpectedly expelled from Malaysia. Fortunately for Singapore, it was led by Lee Kuan Yew. His remarkable success in establishing a stable government and transforming Singapore into a regional economic powerhouse has made the 'Singapore Model' one of the most closely studied patterns among developing nations. Singapore enjoyed sustained growth and political stability during a period when other regional states experienced much turbulence. An economic peer of Chile, Argentina, and Mexico 30 years ago, its per capita GNP is over four times their's today. Its attainments have been so stunning that some have suggested that Singapore may eclipse Hong Kong as the leading trading center in Asia in the future. Yet despite its success, Lee's Singapore has been widely criticized for the sacrifice of civil liberties that accompanied its progress. Lee's authoritarian style and the unsavory racial and eugenic overtones of some of his policies trouble many observers and may limit the applicability of Singapore's successes to other countries. Whether worthy of emulation or not, both critics and supporters acknowledge Lee's crucial role in Singapore's success. Singapore's flourishing economy and stable policy are unquestionably attributable to Lee's personal leadership. This paper begins by discussing his background and approach to statecraft. Next it examines Singapore's national interests as Lee saw them, including threats he perceived, goals he set, and how he matched his limited resources to those goals through his policies. Finally, it touches on some undesirable effects of his policies.