By stewartb

I agree. It seems appropriate to repeat here a btl post on an earlier thread about emulating Singapore. How far should we change to do so?

From The Straits Times (May 11, 2024) ’20 years as PM – Singapore’s political system is rare and once lost there is no turning back, says PM Lee‘.

It quotes Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who is also secretary-general of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and is the eldest son of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew, who governed Singapore for c.31 years!

“People ask how does politics work in Singapore? So I explain to them, they look at me, they think I am a man from Mars. They cannot imagine anything like this happening in their country,” he said, citing the tripartite relationship between the Government, unions and businesses as an example.

‘But for the system to keep on working, it is crucial that voters understand where their interests lie and vote for the government that can best serve them, said PM Lee.’

‘He warned that the system can become distorted when voters want the PAP to govern, but also want more opposition MPs to check and question the Government.’

“You may think that you can get a better outcome this way, but in fact, it will weaken the Government’s ability to serve you,” he said.

And for completeness, also this prior btl post about emulating Singapore – and its disciplined society?

Judicial caning for males under 50 remains a punishment meted out by the state. At any one time, the maximum number of strokes of cane that you can be sentenced to is 24 – so that’s quite reasonable in the 21st century???

‘Caning—being flogged with a moistened rattan cane— a judicial practice in Singapore and is meted out for offences ranging from vandalism to illegal possession of drugs. It is mandatory for crimes such as attempted murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking, auto theft, vandalism, illegal immigration and optional for others.’

Source: https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Singapore/sub5_7c/entry-3763.html

Should we emulate Singapore’s form of democracy? From ‘Our World in Data’ and its Democracy Index – ‘Based on the expert estimates and index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (2006-2024). It combines information on the extent to which citizens can choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over other political systems, can and do participate in politics, and have a functioning government that acts on their behalf. It ranges from 0 to 10 (most democratic).

Norway = 9.81 (ranked 1st)
UK = 8.34 (ranked c.17th)
Singapore = 6.18. *ranked c. 67th)

Taking account of EVERYTHING, why don’t we just get Scotland to emulate Norway instead?

Source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu?tab=chart&country=SGP~NOR~GBR