Singapore: Towards a Developed Status

Abstract

Singapore: Towards a Developed Status. Edited by Linda Low. Singapore: Centre for Advanced Studies, National University of Singapore and Oxford University Press, 1999. Pp. 401. Singapore: Towards a Developed Status is an ambitious book. It focuses on various strategies and future actions which the authors consider will bring Singapore closer to the status of a developed country. The book discusses at length the pre-conditions for attaining such a status which often stretch beyond economic and social contours. The perceptions emerging from the new directions in the social, technological, economic, political and cultural spheres have been highlighted. At times, authors seem over-enthusiastic and try to develop an alternative framework for a developed status focusing on size, special Asian attributes, economic performance and the imperative for a hard state. The book covers a wide range of topics from conventional indices like economic growth, R&D, and technology to non-economic parameters like politics, civil society and culture. One may not agree with all the conclusions presented in the book, but it is a very well researched book. The authors have taken pains to present both analytical and empirical information in a comparative setting. The rigour of the analysis is noteworthy even if one has some reservations about the tone of the presentation. The book is well edited by Dr Low. There are seventeen chapters, mostly originating from the conference on this theme. The opening chapter by Hang examines critically the sustainability of R&D in the context of new millennium. Singapore being only a city-state has the inherent limitation of meeting the gap between R&D sponsored by the state and its successful diffusion and application which requires participation of other institutions, particularly the private sector. Singapore still lags behind other developed countries in terms of the number of research scientists and engineers (RSEs). The critical role of the private sector in commercialization of new innovations and inventions is also been examined. The next chapter touches on the most important current issue - whether Singapore has already become an information society or not. While the physical infrastructure has been put in place, the constraint of manpower and skill still persists in Singapore. To attain the status of a developed country Singapore has to evolve into an environment for creative thinking where civil society can play an active role. Lee's chapter recommends some important ways out for Singapore which is small and resource scarce. Taking a cue from the Scandinavian experience, Singapore too can tap regional markets and improve its R&D to home world-class companies. Tan and Lee explore the potential of Singapore becoming a regional hub for venture capital, thus moving to developed status through the successful transition of SMEs into higher order technologies. A developed country also has a developed national account and statistical system. While Singapore has been moving forward in developing the statistical system, it is argued that there are still many unmet challenges, particularly in the areas of accounting for non-economic changes and developments. The chapter by Savage focuses on careful urban planning, mindful of the new challenges emerging out of digital speed of unfolding of events. Ooi and Kong also discussed urbanization and propose the complementary roles of the state and the private sector in shaping Singapore of the future. The next three chapters focus on the social aspects of developed country status. Cheung's views on the after-effects of the demographic transition in the context of a cosmopolitan Singapore are well taken. By highlighting the issue of international competitiveness, this chapter really grasps the core challenges of the transition. Chua provides some provocative views on a consumer society focusing on issues like modernization, urbanization and technological changes. …