In many ways, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is a microcosm of the Singapore brand of government. The DNA of Singapore's policymaking is its forward-looking nature. S. Rajaratnam's trademark is taking the long view while Lee Kuan Yew articulated his wish for leadership foresight and the admiration for 'helicopter quality' candidates in policymaking. This was how RSIS' …
Written in an informal and personal style, Singapore in a nutshell is a speedy reference and guide for everyone, students or visitors to Singapore, wanting a simplified - nutshell or nugget-sized view - of Singapore. The book's approach is to hook information onto an interesting angle, drawing put the significance and implications of the features discussed, and how they influence and impact upo…
When Singapore became a sovereign state in 1965, the fledgling nation faced very similar problems as most other developing countries: high unemployment, low standard of living, and poor environmental conditions. In a scant four decades, it has become the 6th wealthiest country in the world in terms of per capita GDP and has managed its environment so well that it is now considered to be one of …
Debating Singapore, a volume of thirty essays, offers perceptive observations, acerbic commentary and judicious critiques from academics and professionals on key economic, social and cultural issues that have shaped discourse on Singapore since 1990. Written between 1990 and 1994, these concise essays capture the essence of debate during a particular moment in time. They also convey a sense of …
This book attempts to create a conceptual understanding on the features and benefits of FTAs proliferating in Southeast Asia. It focuses on the debate of whether such FTAs are a building or stumbling block towards achieving global free trade. The book details the concluded as well as ongoing FTA initiatives of Singapore, highlighting the benefits to the Singapore economy. It further details the…
As part of its trade policy, Singapore has recently embarked on what can broadly be termed "new regionalism". This is characterized by its new-found desire to enter free trade agreements (FTAs) with the economic powerhouses (Japan and the United States in particular) as well as with a number of other countries beyond the Southeast Asian region.
This book provides a fascinating set of insights into Singaporean diplomacy and demonstates how the excellence of Singapore's foreign service has enabled the country to punch far above its weight in international affairs. A must read for anyone interested in the exercise of foreign policy.
Singapore became a base for Indonesian special operations during the years 1945-1950, both as source of material needed by the newly independent Republic of Indonesia in the face of probable designs on the part of the Netherlands East Indies government to force a military solution to the conflict, and as a transit port in neighboring countries. This book, based on the author's personal involvem…
The Prophetic and the Political presents a selection of speeches and writings of Mr. S. Rajaratnam, the Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Singapore. Mr. Rajaratnam has given so many speeches in the course of his distinguished political career and the range of topics covered has been so wide that the selection of his major and significant speeches and writings posed a problem. We h…
This study of People's Action Party rule in Singapore was first published in 1984. The 1980s represented one of the most significant land marks in the modern history of Singapore. At the beginning of the decade, the founding fathers of Singapore, led by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, began the process of entrusting in creasing responsibility for governing Singapore to the second generation leader…