Cameron Scherer
9/10/06
G Block
Singapore
HereÕs
a list of notes for my Singapore country report. As a side note, I will
probably use the Top Ten list at the end of my presentation more as a review.
Top
Ten Things to Know About Singapore
á
City-state –
Very small, but very racially and culturally diverse
á
Government is
representative democracy, but has been led by a semi-socialist single party
(PAP) since 1965
á
Thriving market
economy dependent on exports (manufacturing)
á
Has had multiple
independence days and is a very young country.
á
Highest standard of
living in Asia (11th in the world)
á
Rated least-corrupt
country in Asia.
á
Minor offences ˆ heavy fines, caning; first-degree murder or drug
trafficking ˆ capital
punishment.
á
Rigorous public
education system ˆ 95% literacy
á
Over 95% of
population lives in housing projects.
á
Official language
is English, colloquial is ÒSinglish.Ó
Residential Housing in
Singapore
Basic
Facts
á
Name Singapore
derived from Malay words ÒsingaÓ (lion) and ÒpuraÓ (city) ˆ known as the Lion City
á
Island city state,
smallest country in Southeast Asia (699 km2)
á
Located on southern
tip of Malay Peninsula
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Population: 4.35
million (76.8% Singaporean Chinese; over 40% Buddhist).
History
á
First records of
existence date back to 3rd century AD.
á
Originally
colonized as a Malay fishing village by England in 1800Õs.
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Occupied by Japan
in WWII.
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Numerous independence
days:
á
Became
self-governing state in 1959; PeopleÕs Action Party (PAP) came to power.
á
Became part of the
Federation of Malaysia with Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak in 1963.
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Expelled from
federation two years later because of ideological conflicts.
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Gained official
independence two days later on August 9, 1965 (SingaporeÕs National Day).
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When Singapore
gained independence – Had very few natural resources, socio-politically
and economically weak.
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Mass unemployment,
housing shortages, lack of land
á
Lee Kuan Yew, prime
minister from 1959-1990 developed Singapore into a country with economic
infrastructure and high standard of living.
á
Recent
industrialization ˆ economy that
relies on exports (mainly electronics and general manufacturing)
Japanese Crossing a Singaporean Bridge in WWII
Government
á
Representative
democracy, but receives heavy criticism for being dominated by a sole party
(PAP) for over 40 years. Some consider Singapore to be run by authoritarianism.
á
President –
Sellapan Ramanathan
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Prime Minister
– Lee Hsien Loong
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Executive branch -
Power primarily lies with the Cabinet of Singapore.
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Legislative branch
– Parliament.
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Military policy
– Total Defense, which includes Òeconomic defense,Ó Òpsychological
defense,Ó and Òsocial defense,Ó all created to boost SingaporeÕs economy and
image.
á
PAP –
Contains aspects of socialism
¯
Intense public
education system ˆ 95% literacy
rate
¯
Many local
companies government-controlled.
President Sellapan Ramanathan
Societal
Values/Governmental Policies
á
Values stable
family life, low crime levels
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Over 90% of
population live in housing estates constructed by the Housing Development
Board, nearly half uses the public transportation system on a daily basis
á
Government has
taken numerous pro-environmental actions ˆ pollution level reduced.
á
Government strives
to maintain clean, corruption-free image ˆ rated least-corrupt country in Asia.
á
Laws restricting
freedom of speech in order to prohibit conflict between cultures.
á
Minor offences ˆ heavy fines, caning; first-degree murder or drug
trafficking ˆ capital
punishment.
Example
of meticulously clean public transportation
Economy
á
Government sees
market economy as Òhighly successful and transparentÓ (Wikipedia).
á Fourth largest foreign exchange trading center in
the world.
á Has one of the highest GDP in the world, despite
small population.
á Economy depends on exports – Electronics
and refined imports.
¯ Manufacturing ˆ
28% of GDP in 2005.
á Goods and Services Tax (5%) introduced in 1994
has increased government revenue by $1.6 billion.
á Tourism – One of SingaporeÕs largest
industries
Downtown Singapore is clearly
very modernized
Culture
á
Very multi-cultured
country (especially for a newer country); racially and religiously diverse.
á Indigenous Malay population – 1/3 Chinese
(majority) with Indian and Arab immigrants.
á Language – British English with American
influences (e.g. ÒsokahÓ for soccer)
¯ Local dialect is Singlish (English with various
Asian characteristics), but is discouraged by government.
á Several ethnic neighborhoods – Originally
created to segregate immigrants, but now well known for cultural food and
shops.
á Many places of worship ˆ religious tolerance.
á Government promotes country as rich in arts and
culture ˆ ÒGateway between
the East and the WestÓ
Singaporean Buddhist Temple
Sources:
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www.wikipedia.org
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www.uniquelysingapore.com
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www.infoplease.com
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www.sxc.hu
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www.aplus.co.yu