From: sbog6936@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Bin Ong)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Article by Sumiko Tan of The Straits Times
Date: 16 Oct 92 16:29:50 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.Bw835r.Lur
Distribution: soc.culture.asean
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

godfrey@sscvx1.ssc.gov (LAURENCE GODFREY) writes:


>I think these figures are quite consistent with most of the postings from >Singaporeans in response to criticisms in this newsgroup.  Perhaps this
>I think these figures are quite consistent with most of the postings from
>Singaporeans in response to criticisms in this newsgroup.  Perhaps this
>can be put in perspective by asking the question "just how many countries
>in the world have attempted to copy Singapore's example so far?".  I
>can't think of one just at the moment.

>I think that this simply proves that indoctrination of young people (and
>old ones too) by manipulation of the media, control of what is taught in
>schools etc. is a very successful technique.  Can anyone remember 1984 >(orwell?)
>schools etc. is a very successful technique.  Can anyone remember 1984
>(orwell?)

>Laurence

Sure we all remember Big Brother. Certainly I remembered saying something
earlier about the Electronic Road Pricing, National Fingerprint Bank,
and now, the latest, a tracking system on taxis that can tell the ROV
or those with access to these on-baord monitoring devices, what and where
the cabbies were at particular times, etc. And certainly since almost all
males in Singapore do NS, therefore we are all in the govt's computer
anyway. No, Russia, or (to my knowledge) any other communist country
had the capability nor wherewithdal to have a complete databank on
the entire population, except Singapore. Social engineering in Singapore
is a fact, make no mistakes about it; the govt certainly does not
deny it. How else do you explain the success of overcoming natural
disadvantages for Singapore to become the economic powerhouse, albeit
a small one?
It is certainly a relevant and appropriate question. But Singapore is
an unique example, just as the US is. Put it this way: If we had run
up a national debt as large (proportionately) as the US, We would have
sunk without a trace. As would many other countries. Therefore, it is
not because other countries don;t want or wish to imitate Singapore,
but rather, it is near impossible. The racial composition, social,
political, historical, and cultural context allowed the pioneering
govt (PAP) to engineer the 'miracle' over the last 30-odd yrs. This
may sound vague, but it would take up too much net space to explain
my hypothesis.
All in all, if the govt were to attempt the same policies today, it
certainly will not succeed because the economic, social, cultural,
and historical context had changed. Hence the conitnued evolution
and increased viability of an opposition in parliament.
In an earlier post, I equated Singaporeans to frogs living in a well,
seeing their world as a small, round patch of blue skies... I'm sure
you'll agree that exposure to other cultures will benefit us. More
importantly, it may help us realise the differences, and appreciate
the uniquesness of Singapore. I don;t think Singapore is perfect, nor 
is Singapore the worst, by any yardstick. But to tout ourselves, or
for any other country to impose its system on others, is to
be culturally myopic, not to mention arrogance. Live, and let live.

Bin Ong
Univ of Illinois
Internet: bin-ong@uiuc.edu