Thomas J. Bellows

A History of Singapore

This is the first of a series of five volumes on the ASEAN countries being published by Oxford University Press in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Studies Program. In 1819 Thomas Stamford Raffles established an outpost of British India on a sparsely populated island at the southern end of the Straits of Malacca. This book tells how that settlement became a Crown Colony that was for over 100 years one of the most prosperous ports not just of British Malaya, but in the entire British Empire. This multi-faceted historical process is discussed by eighteen Singapore scholars. Starting with a short survey of the pre-modern history of Singapore, their work provides both a chronological account of events and specialized studies including community, the family, education, mass media, housing, health care, welfare, population growth, and national identity.

Singapore : the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew

The Social setting from Raffles to self-rule, 1819-1959 the quest for stability and prosperity, 1959-1989 politics and government in a dominant party system from the Founders to the Successors a dependent but dynamic economy defense and foreign policy prospects for stability and change.

Meritocracy and the Singapore Political System

Abstract A meritocracy presumes those with innate and demonstrated talent will be an elite. The implementation of meritocracy remains a guiding principle of the Peoples Action Partys (PAP) non-communist leaders who have governed Singapore since 1959. This article focuses on meritocracy, elected public officials and the PAPs recruiting to government a cohort from among Singapores best and brightest. The success of the PAP, the worlds longest-governing elected political party, is based on meritocracy, incorruptibility and effective policies. Important to understanding Singapores meritocracy is political recruitment which has been refined for half a century. Compensation for the high flyers means elected officials and top civil servants are probably the highest paid in the world. The realistic justification is that you can retain outstanding persons. Comprehensive and effective anti-corruption measures combined with high pay means Singapore is one of the most corruption free governments in the world.

Lee's lieutenants : Singapore's old guard

ContributorsThe Organisational Utility Men (Lam Peng Er)The Economic Architect (Tilak Doshi and Peter Coclanis)The Social Architect (Kwok Kian Woon)The Legalists (Kevin Tan)Making the History of Singapore (Hong Lysa)The Malay Mobilisers (Zuraidah Ibrahim)The Chinese-Educated Politcal Vanguards (Sai Siew Min and Huang Jianli)The Vanquished (CJ W-L Wee)Endnotes

The singapore party system

During the past decade, Singapore has been characterized by a relatively open and competitive party system, thus setting this nation apart from a number of her Southeast Asian neighbors. However, the travails experienced by the system as it has evolved are no less in evidence today than they have been heretofore.

The anti‐secession law, framing, and political change in Taiwan

Beijings Anti‐Secession Law (ASL) was promulgated in March 2005. Influenced by the December 2004 Legislative Yuan elections in Taiwan, Beijings 2005 comments suggested the ASL was intended to increase peaceful interaction, not confrontation. Temporary, cooperative discussions early in 2005 between the People First Party (PFP) and President Chen Shui‐bian (DPP) are analysed as well as trips to the mainland by KMT leaders and the subsequent China visit by PFP leaders. The impact of all these events on the May 2005 National Assembly elections and the December local elections in the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROCT) is discussed. An evolving, more peaceful and interactive status quo has reduced the likelihood of military force becoming an option. Gradual refraining of cross‐Strait relations occurred in 2005. Still to be determined is whedier Taiwan will benefit from the changing status quo to the degree Beijing believes the PRC will benefit.

Normalization: A taiwan perspective

occurred immediately preceding and for several weeks after President Carters December 15, 1978, announcement was rudely disconcerting. This essay discusses the factors which led to the announcement, and some developments in Taiwan since mid-December. Events since recognition suggest that the pre-normalization ambiguity was a relevant variable in avoiding at least some dangerous international situations in East Asia. If not two Chinas, then one China divisible or one China two governments provided an equilibrium which many argue should have been changed only when there were benefits to be gained in terms of American interests or international stability. One must assume that Pekings interests in formalizing its American relations were dominated by Chinese competition with the USSR. If this was the case, its strategy existed largely separate from the Taiwan question. One consideration Peking and Washington chose to ignore was the manner in which normalization and the Taiwan question were to be handled. This appeared to exemplify a sharply diminished American commitment to a steadfast ally, thereby reducing American credibility in Asia and throughout the world. The PRC achieved the maximum take and the minimum give. Normalization showed the PRCs diplomatic toughness and shrewdness. This was even more important than a further slippage of American prestige. Pekings commitment to normalization quickened after the Sino-