To those who know little about Singapore, it may mean little but the passing of Lee Kuan Yew is as symbolic as it is sad; he was a true father to his small nation.
Singapore used to be a trading post of worth in the British Empire, enough so to warrant autonomy after WWII.For a brief while, it joined Malaysia but its particularities were seen as too problematic and it was unceremoniously expelled from the federation in 1965. Singapore’s population you see was so diverse in origin ( although in majority Chinese ) that race riots occurred pretty regularly. Once alone to fend for itself, what would happen? What happened was Lee Kuan Yew who became the original Prime Minister of the land ( in post by 1959 ) and held the post for 31 years.
He was something of an authoritarian, that much is true but it could hardly be avoided. He made his People’s Action Party the sole choice for decades by results alone. Insuring a minimum of equality between the inhabitants with a strong lodging policy essential to such a tiny and crowded place where each square meter is worth a fortune, he also pushed for a very free economic environment that allowed unsurpassed growth and prosperity. Singapore thus added a strong financial sector to its original trade functions. At the same time, due to his strong personality, he placed his nation on an enviable standing, co-founding the ASEAN ( with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines ) and managing a middle way route between the West and Asia, equidistant from the Japanese and Chinese neighbors, friends with Australia and further away America, never really at odds with anyone. The Cambridge educated gentleman was a classic example of those men that forged the twentieth century by strict work and values. Of course, it came at the price of restricted civil liberties and press but it remains debatable that success could not have been had otherwise.
Under Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore rose to a preeminence that little warranted prior. Education and Health services are firmly backed by the state. Technology is as good as it gets. A huge and incredibly well-equipped Army for its size ensures independence from neighbors many times it size. Multiculturalism is a way of life with four official languages and race riots are likely a thing of the past and the industrialization process necessary to its success did not impede on an enviable ecologic record. The GDP of the nation is also one of the highest in the world. This however had a consequence as the nation imported many foreigners, a trend now under deflation because the model thus produced aside from its many millionaires an important proportion of poor people resulting in one of the most unequal economic disparities worldwide.
His eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, is now Prime Minister himself after a few years of interim and has a tough task ahead. The model will have to be tweaked if prosperity is to endure. As such, the passing of the founding father is a historical marker. Up to a point, one could say that there will have been a before and after effect to the man. The challenge he met was quintessential; the challenge to be faced may also be. By comparison, when America lost George Washington, many Founding Fathers remained to steer the ship, not so with Singapore.
Lee Kuan Yew was 91 years old. He well deserved his eternal rest.
May his spirit inspire his people to forge ahead.
Good night sir, Tay.
Definitive Lapse of Reason 