Singapore, Lion without Teeth

[AngMoG]

Came across a very interesting article about Singapore today... apparently somebody who actually lived here for a while wrote a book about how its economy is all ... well, wrong.

Bangkok's Independent Newspaper: Lion without teeth

The smallest member of Asean geographically is often touted as one of Asia's great success stories - a gleaming city that emerged from the tropical swamps under a strict but wise autocrat, Lee Kuan Yew.

But a fascinating new book by Australian Rodney King looks deeper into the "the Singapore Miracle" and reveals that a lot of the city's supposed successes are in fact hot air.

Reports of Singapore being a dynamic commercial melting pot are, King says, simply the oft-repeated claims of a government that tolerates little dissent, and city leaders who may actually have stifled the sort of entrepreneurial dynamism you get in places such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan and maybe even Bangkok.

King is a Perth journalist who lived in Singapore for a number of years and worked briefly at the Straits Times.

[Beeroclock]

Sounds an interesting read... I will like to try get my hands on a copy. A lot of the developed, world leading economies can appear quite scary statistically, china, Japan, US. It's not so easy to point to a really strong economy nowadays.

[gailwynand]

It's not a new book, its second edition is from 2008.

Anyway it's on the Kindle store for around $10USD.

[zzm9980]

It's not a new book, its second edition is from 2008.

Anyway it's on the Kindle store for around $10USD.

Link? I can't find it Just the first edition which is US$70+
http://www.amazon.com/Singapore-Miracle ... 977556700/

[Strong Eagle]

http://www.amazon.com/Singapore-Miracle ... +singapore

[x9200]

And nobody sued the author so far?

[the lynx]

And nobody sued the author so far?

Yup, I'm more interested in this part.

[Beeroclock]

And nobody sued the author so far?

Yup, I'm more interested in this part.

maybe he choose his words carefully and put enough statistics in there at the same time..... Still might be wise to plan his flight itinerary carefully to avoid any SG transits

[morenangpinay]

great ! Thanks for posting. I'll read it. Just confirmed my opinion that its just good public relations.