Sociology

Singapore is an island nation off the tip of the Malayan Peninsula in the Southeast Asian region.  It is an ethnically diverse society with three distinct ethnic groups.  Among these three, the Chinese are the predominant group the rest are the Malays and Indians.  Yet despite the diversity, Singapore has managed to transform itself from a former British colony into a modern and prosperous country within the Southeast Asian region.

The British, under the leadership of Stamford Raffles saw the potential of Singapore as a vital hub of trade and commerce owing to its strategic location in the region.  From a backwater fishing village, the British had turned it into a trading post in 1819 which is akin to what would later be done to Hong Kong roughly 30 years later.  Singapores development attracted settlers from afar Chinese who came in droves to Malaya and later, Singapore owing to the very liberal immigration policy of the British.  The Chinese were the most dominant group to settle in the island and the jobs they took ranged from lower-class coolies to prosperous bankers and merchants which would become a very influential clique in the island.  They became so prosperous that they were able to send give their children quality education by sending them abroad to study (Chin and Lee, 1991).

Because of Singapores vital role as a trading post, the British ran this colony differently from its other overseas colonies. Harmony among the different ethnic groups was overseen furthermore, the British did not attempt to alter or eradicate the culture of these local inhabitants and tried to recreate them in their image despite implementing divide and conquer by letting these groups put up their respective enclaves in parts of the island.  As a result, Singapore prospered as it became the hub of British power in the region owing to the stability the British were able to create (Josey, 1980).

Following the end of the Second World War, Malaya was granted independence by Great Britain and Singapore became part of the newly-established Federated States of Malaya (Malaysia).  Like other former colonies of the Third World, Malaysia had a host of problems which also carried over into Singapore.   There was the growing threat of communism that threatened to engulf the Southeast Asian region following the triumph of communism in China.  There was the brewing ethnic conflict in Malaysia between the three leading ethnic groups  the Chinese, Malays and Indians which was spilling over Singapore as well.  There was also the legacy of colonial rule which included graft and corruption and mismanagement in the government.  All it took was the effort of one man  Lee Kwan Yew who is regarded as the father of Singapore.  This British-educated lawyer combined a combination of Chinese Confucian he values he practices along with his western education in helping Singapore get through the birth pains following its breakaway from Malaysia in 1965.  His agenda following independence was national security, the economy and social issues.

Lee was known for establishing an authoritarian state in Singapore as a response to the racial tensions carried over from Malaysia which entailed implementing draconian laws making the island-state one of the strictest societies in the world.  Interestingly, these draconian laws were practiced during British colonial rule such as caning, a form of corporal punishment for minor crimes which was used as a disciplinary measure in several British-run institutions such as schools and even military camps (Lee, 1998).  In addition, he strengthened Singapores national security apparatus with the help of foreign consultants to further safeguard the island-nation against subversive elements, particularly communists.  Graft and corruption was also eradicated as Lee saw how this caused instability in the government and had the potential of fomenting unrest which would invite extremists in committing political agitation.   Besides expelling erring government officials, he introduced meritocracy in the government and made sure deserving officials are justly rewarded to motivate them to be more committed and prevent them from committing graft and corruption (Jacobson, 2010).  He regulated population growth by telling couples to limit their children to a maximum of two.  These draconian laws, a combination of Britains colonial legacy and Chinese Confucian values helped preserve the harmony and stability in Singapore which enabled it to continue its role as the hub of trade and commerce as society has been very conducive for business.  In defense of his authoritarian ways, Lee said that if Singapore was a nanny state, he was proud to have fostered one.  In explaining why so many rules, Lee explained this was necessary to maintain order and to regulate individual rights.  Consistent to his Confucian beliefs, he believed an individual can be improved through disciplined (Jacobson, 2010).  He further justified his policies by stating that he did what he believed was correct and this did not mean he had to be politically correct and never apologized for it (Lee, 2000).

Despite the draconian laws on Singapore, Lee, also showed a considerable degree of tolerance despite being a conservative and owing to his liberal western education by allowing a considerable degree of individual rights which goes to prove that despite authoritarian rule, Singapore is not like the more draconian totalitarian governments of the communist states such as North Korea or Cuba.  If there was one other Chinese value Lee imparted, it was kiasu (afraid to lose) mentality which motivates every Singaporean to strive for excellence.  This attitude is instilled at an early age in school and carried over to the professional fields upon becoming adults (Jacobson, 2010).

In conclusion, the results speak for themselves.  Lee combined the best of both the orient and occident to create a thriving and prosperous society, and showing it is possible for a developing nation to become a developed nation provided they follow his example.