Message

Summary

The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies is pleased to publish the follow-up volume to the 1989 Management of Success: The Moulding of Modern Singapore. This volume is a collection of essays by experts in their respective fields which delve into the numerous public policies that have shaped and influenced the everyday lives of Singaporeans since the early 1990s. In the spirit of academic inquiry, this volume serves to identify key public policies that have been deemed responsible for the success of Singapore and to re-examine them critically for a better understanding of our development and progress as a young nation.

Retrospection and introspection are usually not the prerogatives of young nations like ours. Singapore's short national history may make such a volume seem rather like an indulgence. But Singapore is no ordinary nation. In fact, its status as a nation was thought to be “an absurd proposition” many years ago by its first Prime Minister. Given the historical circumstances of Singapore's independence, both government and people plunged straight into the business of surviving. With survival never assured or taken for granted, the achievements and progress enjoyed through the decades have demanded not just good government, diligent citizens or favourable global conditions, but have also nurtured a Singaporean culture and mindset that harbours narrow and specific definitions of success.

The many chapters in this volume willingly acknowledge the tangible and material success that so many of our public policies have yielded. However, they go beyond the obvious and analyse the side effects of such policies, unintended or not, as well as to ponder alternative forms of success. For such an exercise, retrospection and introspection cannot be helped. Finally, this volume is meant to be neither a comprehensive nor final word on Singapore society, but a small contribution to the rich and ever expanding mosaic of the Singapore story.