Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, Singapore later joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, but separated two years later and became independent. Over the years, Singapore has grown its international trading links becoming one of the most prosperous countries. Singapore has been compared to the leading nations of Western Europe when it comes to its per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Singapore has one of the world’s busiest ports when comparing most tonnage handled. After officially gaining sovereignty in 1965, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has dominated Singapore’s politics. With a large amount of government-controlled companies in the local economy, and its powerful position, Singapore’s government has maintained a clean, corruption-free image. With their dealings with communists during the early years the PAP’s governing philosophy is best described as a Socialist Democracy. Maintained by the paternal guidance of the PAP, came Economic growth and political stability. Even though bureaucrats not politicians administer Singapore, meritocracy is power, which is gained through performance, skill, and loyalty to the policies of the nation. The Constitution of Singapore is the Supreme law. With the constitution for the three organs of the state (Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary), It lays down the fundamental principles and framework for them to operate.. The only way the constitution can be amended is with the approval of more than two-thirds of
The Fall of Singapore to the Japanese happened on the 15th February 1942 and is thought to be one of the greatest defeats in the entire history of the British Army and most likely Britain's worst defeat in all of World War 2. Singapore was considered to be a major part of the British Empire and it was thought to be as strong as a fortress. Improvement's to Singapore as a British military base had only been completed in 1938, a mere 4 years before the fall of Singapore.
Singapore had fought for its independence from the colonial grip of Great Britain. It is also a very egalitarian and liberalized country. It has been one of the biggest trading posts in the world and has become very wealthy. The (PAP) or People’s Action Party was the first universal suffrage movement. It’s led the country for many years, provided many social welfare programs and the people are very supportive of it. The party has been known for imprisonment and harassment but no known disappearances.
2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Singaporean independence in 1965. Then, Singapore was just another colony to break away from the dying embers of the British Empire, many of its people destitute and impoverished. Today, in only half a century, Singapore has become one of safest nations in the world, an Asian Tiger with a booming economy. This is due to the hard work and genius of the nation’s father and first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Under his reforms, the economy flourished and the people were content. Although Lee’s government refused to relinquish control and were often aggressive, their smart legislation and benevolent rule was responsible for the growth of the nation. The key to Singapore’s development lay in the combination of
Some interviewees put it down to the influence of the Singaporean government on the corporate sector – the former has inclined towards forward planning and orderly action in shaping the country’s success to date. This influence has also shaped the country’s education system, which undoubtedly influences the paradigm of many Singaporean business leaders.
One of Singapore's key principle is to maintain a stable environment in Southeast Asia. Threats of terrorism is taken very seriously. By having economic, political and cultural ties, Singapore is able
Singapore faces two very crippling issues that are unlikely to be solved internally within the next few years, and as such are left with little choice but to rely on our foreign friends. Let’s look a little deeper.
Singapore is both a city and a nation-state. This complicates matters. Most foreigners think of Singapore simply as a city. But most Singaporeans think of Singapore in national terms. This, by default, has had the unintended side effect of causing some fissures in the national fabric. It is possible to be both a global city and a nation-state. But it could be argued that the global city project pursued by Singapore has come at a heavy price for the nation-building project.
Singapore is well known in the world for being a multiracial and multireligious country. Its diverse population is mainly made up of various races such as Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. Therefore, with such a diverse population it is important to maintain social cohesion within the community to ensure harmony among the citizens residing in Singapore despite the differences in race, culture and religion (Amirthan, 2011).
Singapore is a globally well connected, multicultural and cosmopolitan city state offers a conducive environment for creative and knowledge driven industries. Singapore was government by only one Political Party of Singapore since independence proving that chances of changing political rule is least. The combination of strong banking secrecy rules, generous tax incentives and its International reputation for business excellence has attracted many high net worth individuals and Corporations to Singapore. Singapore encouraged According to
"Home to some 4.48 million people (based on the last census in 2005 reported in 2006), Singapore is the fourth most densely populated country in the world and has one of the highest per capita gross domestic products in the world."1 The employment rate is 2.40 million (June 2006), with unemployment at an all-time low at only 2.5 percent. The labor force consists of mainly manufacturing, transportation and communication, construction, and financial, business, and other services. Singapore is orderly, prosperous, and modern. According to Richard H.K. Vietor, a Harvard Business School professor, Singapore, along with
Singapore is located in Southeast Asia between Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore was part of Malaysia in 1963-1965. The government of Malaysia decided to separate from Singapore in order to avoid further violence between Chinese dominated Singaporean and Malay Muslim communities. Through the 1990s, Singapore experienced sustained economic growth along with "Four Tigers" which are Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan. The economy depends heavily on export trade, particularly on manufacturing and electronics sector. Singapore's population was reported by the government at 4,351,400 in July 2005, and the ethnic Chinese make up 76.8 percent of the population. Malay is the national language and one of the four official languages, along with Chinese, Tamil, and English,
Singapore is an island that lies just off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Its strategic location on major sea lanes has provided the country with an economic importance in Southeast Asia. Singapore is often considered as a base for global enterprises looking to expand into Asia and Asian enterprises looking for global connectivity. Located at the heart of Asia, Singapore is sitting at the centre of business opportunities. Having the four key attributes - Trust, Knowledge, Connected and Life, Singapore is being positioned as an ideal city to Work, Live and Play. Singapore was ranked first in Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey 2009.
The Republic of Singapore celebrated its 42 years of independence in year 2007. Situated at the southern tip of Malaysia, Singapore currently holds a population of 4.68 million as of June 2007. At 704.0km2, it is ranked 4th in the world for its population density. During the past four decades, the economy as measured by real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), multiplied by over 20 times (Ghesquiere, 2007, p.11). As a small and extremely open economy, Singapore long term survival is very much dependent on the ability to maintain its viable position and remain afloat in the sea of global competition (Mun Heng et al, 1998, p.14).
Known as one of the Four Asian Tigers, Singapore’s globalized and diversified economy is only behind Hong Kong’s. That title has been achieved due to its market economy, “A highly developed, and one of the freest, most competitive, innovative and business friendly economy based on extended entrepôt trade, a profitable trading post that allows importing and exporting free of duties.” (Wikipedia)
First of all, Sovereignty is vital for any country to survive. Singapore’s sovereignty is anchored by a cohesive society, economic development and our military vitality. In addition, Singapore has always placed a prime on its security and its security policy is built on the “twin pillars of deterrence and diplomacy”, a rational affair that its leaders proponent. (Eugene Lim, 2013, para. 3).