Adopting and Improving: The Influence and Legacy of Western Civilization in the Development of Modern Singapore
National University of Singapore
Economics 2373: Global Economic Dimensions of Singapore
Individual Term Paper
Adopting and Improving:
The Influence and Legacy of Western Civilization in the Development of Modern Singapore
Based on the Question: “It was the Western trader and the Western administrator who introduced modern ideas, modern systems of government, modern education and modern techniques of communications and production into traditional Asia.” (Goh Keng Swee)
Discuss the above comments by Dr. Goh Keng Swee with reference to Singapore. Did Singapore benefit from the Western influence in the early days? Has Singapore benefitted from it now? Provide necessary evidences to substantiate your answer.
[Note: Page numbering is from 2-6, so this paper actually has 5 pages]
1. Introduction
In the Discovery Channel documentary The History of Singapore, it has been said that the city-state has for many years intrigued Western imagination, being both a “modern and Westernized society on the outside, yet undeniably Asian on the other.” Once known as the “crown jewel” of the British Empire in Asia, the Republic of Singapore has not only embraced Western economic thought, but has improved on it, currently boasting one of the highest standards of living not just in Asia, but in the world. The fascination by Western thinkers on the city-state is quite notable: as shall be seen in this paper, modern Singapore today is the offspring of the traditional and resource-rich East, and the progressive and enterprising West.
Thanks to its strategic location at the straits of Malacca, the English-speaking country is also a bustling global hub for tourism, industry, manufacturing, logistics, financial services, and many others; Its modern array of skyscrapers and tower blocks are home to almost 5 million people from different races. It comes as no surprise that for many years; foreign influence has played a pivotal role
Economics 2373: Global Economic Dimensions of Singapore
Individual Term Paper
Adopting and Improving:
The Influence and Legacy of Western Civilization in the Development of Modern Singapore
Based on the Question: “It was the Western trader and the Western administrator who introduced modern ideas, modern systems of government, modern education and modern techniques of communications and production into traditional Asia.” (Goh Keng Swee)
Discuss the above comments by Dr. Goh Keng Swee with reference to Singapore. Did Singapore benefit from the Western influence in the early days? Has Singapore benefitted from it now? Provide necessary evidences to substantiate your answer.
[Note: Page numbering is from 2-6, so this paper actually has 5 pages]
1. Introduction
In the Discovery Channel documentary The History of Singapore, it has been said that the city-state has for many years intrigued Western imagination, being both a “modern and Westernized society on the outside, yet undeniably Asian on the other.” Once known as the “crown jewel” of the British Empire in Asia, the Republic of Singapore has not only embraced Western economic thought, but has improved on it, currently boasting one of the highest standards of living not just in Asia, but in the world. The fascination by Western thinkers on the city-state is quite notable: as shall be seen in this paper, modern Singapore today is the offspring of the traditional and resource-rich East, and the progressive and enterprising West.
Thanks to its strategic location at the straits of Malacca, the English-speaking country is also a bustling global hub for tourism, industry, manufacturing, logistics, financial services, and many others; Its modern array of skyscrapers and tower blocks are home to almost 5 million people from different races. It comes as no surprise that for many years; foreign influence has played a pivotal role
Bibliography: Abshire, Jean. The History of Singapore. Sta. Barbara: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2011. Atlantic Cable. 1871 Singapore-Hong Kong Cable. 11 Oct 2011. 6 Mar 2012 . Discovery Channel. History of Singapore. 2005. TV Documentary. Federal Research Division. Singapore: A Country Study. Ed. Barbara Leitch LePoer. Vol. First. Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1989. Lee, Soo Ann. Singapore, from Place to Nation. 2nd. Singapore: Pearson, 2011. SingTel. Company Profile - Milestones & History. 2010. 4 Mar 2012 .