[Good Government, Bad Government] Singapore: A Country of Political Authoritarianism and Economic Liberalism

When Singapore declared its independence from Britain in 1959, the country’s situation was dire. The streets were full of unemployed people, and it had to endure economic hardship caused by its isolation from the outside world. But afterward, until Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as prime minister in 1990, Singapore achieved explosive economic growth. As of 2007, its per capita income stood at $29,000, making it one of the most prosperous countries in Asia.

Singapore was able to do so because its government thoroughly guaranteed the economic freedom of its citizens. Imports and exports are free, and it is easy to start a business. Hiring and firing are also free. It is a country with a light tax burden. The public officials who authorize and supervise citizens’ economic activities are friendly and honest.

Unfortunately, however, this country has no political freedom. Since independence, the ruling party has remained the People’s Action Party, founded by Lee Kuan Yew. Of course, Singapore has the separation of powers and democratic procedures found in other advanced countries, but in reality this is not truly the case.

There are also opposition parties such as the Workers’ Party of Singapore, the Singapore Democratic Party, and the Singapore Democratic Alliance, but they are unable to function properly. If they criticize the government, they are, nine times out of ten, sued in court for defamation; and once in court, they are likely either to be punished or to be fined so heavily that they are driven into bankruptcy. This is because judicial independence is not guaranteed. In political matters, both democracy and the judiciary are little more than window dressing in Singapore. Experts view Singapore as a country where procedural democracy exists, but substantive democracy does not.

This shows that economic freedom and political freedom belong to separate spheres. Singapore is a country with economic freedom but without political freedom. The clean and capable Singaporean government thoroughly guarantees its people freedom of economic activity, but it does not allow challenges or criticism from its opponents.

The freedom to choose one’s representatives and to say what one wants is just as important as economic freedom. By not allowing this, the Singaporean government has taken away an important part of freedom from its own people.

Original title: [좋은 정부, 나쁜 정부] 싱가포르, 정치적 권위주의와 경제적 자유주의의 나라

Author: Center for Free Enterprise (CFE)

Date: 2008-12-22

Source: https://www.cfe.org/bbs/bbsDetail.php?cid=column&pn=18&idx=10724