Singapore

I. The economy in the early 1960s The Singaporean economy before the 1960s until its independence has remained a successful entrept and British outpost. The goal of the government is to industrialize and diversify economic activity by promoting manufacture activity geared towards domestic market The biggest problem of Singapore is employment, thus, creating jobs was the primary goal of the government. But industrialization was not possible because the manufacturing sector is less developed and there is lack of finance The Economic Development Board (EDB), established in 1961, spearheaded the economic development of Singapore II. The economy from separation to date Late 1960s-1970s Problems stirred up after the separation from Malaysia and the withdrawal of the British soldiers Singapore has lost its potential (common) market for its manufactured goods Faced yet another problem of unemployment The shift to an inward looking economy to an open, outward, liberal economy has been taken by PAP Relied on exports and became internationally active in trade

EDB continued to promote Singapore Creation of nationalized companies DBS- Development Bank of Singapore SIA- Singapore Airlines Strengthening of the Central Development Fund (CDF) Promotion of positive labor environment through the Employment Act Establishment of the National Trade Union Congress The key to economic progress can be attributed to the: Strong political will (resilient leaders)/ governments strategic role Human capital; importance of the role of the public sector; recognition of Singapores only abundant resource: manpower Export-orientation and broader trade relationships Development of infrastructures Measures resulted to GDP grew to 6% a year, manufacturing share of GDP from 10-15%, Singapores adoption of new technology. 1980s Singapore faced a problem on tight labor market and pressure on workers wages Rising competition between SEA countries on low-wage labor The shift from manufacturing to service labor The need to innovate workers to fit into the new economy

Singapore established the National Computer Board in 1981 to provide good knowledge and training for workers in IT industry Establishment of infostructures Importance of education among workers, development of skills. Measures resulted to decrease of unemployment and growth of the manufacturing sector. Singapore gained international recognition with its 10% annual growth rate 1990s to recent There is a need to adopt to high technology This problem prompted the creation of high technology institutions There is also an expansion of economic activities SIJORI- Singapore, Johor, Riau Relocate Singapores investment on manufacture to these regions Singapore in finance, Johor and Riau in labor force Expansion of Singapores space and resource allocation And Malaysia and Indonesia will benefit on the infrastructure development There is a focus on education and human resource competitiveness. The Asian Financial Crisis The key industry networks in Singapore Goods producing Manufacture o Electronics

o Chemicals o Engineering Construction Service production Commercial o Wholesale and retail o Business services o Financial services Transportation Communication Tourism III. Democracy in Singapore Ruled by PAP since 1954 Hybrid Regime Highly institutionalized There exists a rule of law General elections are held every 5 years Universal adult suffrage Efficient judiciary Characteristics of Singapore government is closely associated to a genuine democratic rule, however divergence arise in the following coercive government tools: Internal Security Act Societies Act (1988) Controlled media Restriction of freedom of assembly, speech, association, and the press However, there are no reported extra-judicial killings, or forced disappearances. The resilience of PAP can be attributed to its artful manipulation according to Case.

There is no direct use of force rather manipulation of institutions or political environment as a right tool for repression. As Rodan discussed, PAP has been strongly grounded to Singapore because of its incorporation of itself to the state, then to the military, the bureaucracy and more importantly the economy. Trade off between political liberty and social development

Lee, Soo Ann. (1973) The Singapore Economy and its Development Problem. Retrieved on September 28, 2011 from www.ide.go.jp/English/.../De/.../73_04_04.pdf Mauzy, D. (2006). The Challenge to Democracy Singapores and Malaysias Resilient Hybrid Regimes. Retrieved on August 16, 2011 from http://www.tfd.org.tw/docs/dj0202/ 03%20Diane%20K.%20Mauzy.pdf Rodan, G. (2008). Singapore Exceptionalism? Authoritarian Rule and State Transformation. Retrieved on August 16, 2011 from http://www.policypointers.org/Page /View/3824 Tyabi, A. (1987). The Economy in Government and Politics of Singapore Jon S.T. Quah et. al (eds.). Singapore: Oxford University Press

IV. Democracy and Globalization: The Singapore Paradox The development and formation of Singapore itself is a product of globalization A globally open economy yet a locally conservative It is a highly globalized country given its participation in migration, finance, and telecommunication. Connected globally but not really for integration with other countries rather only for self gain Open to economic globalization yet shuts its door to liberal democratic processes. (Amaldas, 2009) Nation-state v.s. Global City results to shifting gears in policy-making References: Amaldas, M. (2009)The Management of Globalization in Singapore: Twentieth Century Lessons for the Early Decades of the New Century. [PDF] Retrieved on September 28, 2011 from www.japss.org/upload/30. Amaldas.pdf Cahyad, G. (2004). Singapores Economic Transformation. [PDF] Retrieved on September 27, 2011 from http://www.globalurban.org/GUD%20Singapore %20MES%20Report.pdf