Book launch speech on Chua Beng Huat, Liberalism Disavowed: Communitarianism and State Capitalism in Singapore

ABSTRACT

The Singapore political, social, economic system was fashioned in response to the existential challenges arising from sudden independence and a profoundly resource-challenged situation of a city-state seeking to ensure its viability. It eschewed the liberal democratic model promoted by Britain and the West. Instead Singapore sets out to establish a model that works for it, delivering social change and a better life for its people, albeit with constraints on liberty. Today, as the liberal democratic model of government is seriously under review for effectiveness, the Singapore model is better appreciated.

KEYWORDS:

• Model of government
• opening up
• illiberal democracy
• tight democracy
• household incomes

Notes on contributor

Chan Heng Chee is currently the Ambassador-at-Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore, and the chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at Singapore University of Technology and Design.