If

you cant think because you cant chew, try a banana. Lee Kuan Yew
(Remark to a BBC reporter, 2000 on Chewing Gum ban)

Vol. III, No. 15, 10 April 2015

Lee Kuan Yew : The Architect of Singapore

The emerging theme in 1990s was that the US-led NATO and West, shaped by liberal democracy and market
capitalism, had dislodged Soviet-style centralized political and economic planning. The waves of American style
democracy swept all frontiers and the Cold War was won due to these unrelenting waves, as written by Francis
Fukuyama in his End of History thesis. Singapore had adopted market economy but its political system was not
liberal democratic in a textbook sense. In the face of onslaught of liberal democracy, Singapore model of
governance came in for wider appreciation and a counter model to the US model and Lee was able to check
communism when it was advancing all over South East Asia.

Lee has been criticized for his failure to adopt textbook liberal democratic methods in governing Singapore and
thus undermining the rule of law. Lee on the other hand saw the rule of law as utterly integral to the successful
political and economic development of a country. As per Lee the rule of law was subordinate to Singapores needs
and his experiences of fighting the Communists in the 1950s and 1960s convinced Lee that order must always
precede and establish the basis for legal frameworks. How we fret and fume at the lack of rule of law and absolute
arrogance of our citizens while at traffic lights or at other public places. We are a liberal democracy. Lee Kuan
Yews approach to governance stemmed from his political career spent in fighting the decay of a society and its
politics. For Lee, Nehrus democracy was a fertile ground for functional anarchy, claimed later by US Ambassador
to India, Galbraith.
Lees legacy as seen through his autobiography is of an energetic, enterprising young man who was confronted
with many personal challenges in adapting to scarcity and political brutality during the Japanese Occupation. In
his own reflections in 2011, following three decades as Prime Minister, then Senior Minister and Minister Mentor,
he emphasized the need for Singaporeans to grasp foreign affairs. We are in a turbulent region. If we do not have
a government and a people that differentiate themselves from the rest of the neighborhood in a positive way and
can defend ourselves, Singapore will cease to exist. Lee treated international affairs from leadership perspective
and decisions making. For Lee foreign policy was a quixotic mixture of anxiety, nationalistic zeal, and attempt to
link national interest with universalist principles. Lees talent for finding the best path for Singaporean foreign
policy has been well appreciated. As Singaporeans and the world mourn the passing of a giant of twentieth
century Asian politics, we will do well not to forget that Lee Kuan Yew was never one to entertain political
correctness. He was more concerned with producing correct outcomes even amidst the vagaries in international
politics. Lees legacy is in Singapore being in the top ten countries for its GDP, HDI index, ease of doing business,
lack of corruption, global education and health services.
I have visited Singapore a number of times since 1992 and every time it fills me with pride of being an Asian and
disappointment of India not being able to meet most of the standards. Modern China appear to be following
Singapore model (democratize economy and economize democracy) and reaping its benefits. A former US
Ambassador to Singapore conceded a grudging respect for Lees sagacity in a confidential cable in 2006 under the
subheading Welcoming the United States, but not our politics. This is Lee Kuan Yew the successful the game
changer and architect of Singapore. RIP Lee!!
Dr. K.K.Sharma, Professor of OB & HR,
HoD - UG programs of Chitkara Business School

www.chitkara.edu.in

Disclaimer: This Newsletter is prepared to enhance awareness and for information only. The
information is taken from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by Chitkara
Business School as to its accuracy. Chitkara Business School will not be responsible for any
interpretations, opinions generated or decisions taken by readers.