June 3, 2019

It was only in 1960 that Singapore managed to call itself a sovereign nation and dedicate a day of celebration for independence from colonial rulers. From 1960 to 1963, Singapore celebrated its National Day on 3rd June to commemorate the day it gained self-governance in 1959. The first National Day Parade held on 9th August was in 1966 after Singapore’s split from Malaysia. Ever since, Singapore has kept up its annual celebrations on the 9th of August, with the nation celebrating its 54th birthday this year. Singapore’s rapid transformation in the latter part of the 20^th century from a newly independent state into a First World economy has aroused much awe, but what exactly was the key to the nation’s success?

Associate Professor Bilveer Singh (NUS Political Science) believes taking apart the politics and policies of Singapore would help us better explain Singapore’s unbelievable growth. His book, Understanding Singapore Politics (World Scientific, 2018), breaks down Singapore politics into five key segments of geography, demography, economy, political heritage, and the external environment. A/P Singh argues that to have a better grasp of Singapore’s political anatomy it is necessary to engage with these five domains.

The book is not limited to a discussion of past domestic politics and key issues in the city-state; A/P Singh offers his take on Singapore’s political direction in what is termed the post-Lee Kuan Yew era. Understanding Singapore Politics also outlines new political issues such as the importance of race, income equality, and migration, making it a relevant and detailed guide to Singapore’s politics.

Read more on the book here.