ABSTRACT

What is pragmatism? Is it a means to an end, or an end in itself? Is it antithetical to ideology or morality?

Arguing that pragmatism is a skill much more than an attribute, Phua examines how viewing it in this way can help achieve better foreign policy outcomes. He examines and contrasts the ways in which the United States, China and Singapore have incorporated pragmatism into their approaches to foreign policy. In doing so he debunks dualistic myths around pragmatism and ideology and promotes the view of pragmatism as a skill that can be developed.

An essential primer for students, analysts and policymakers, with a fresh and practical approach to pragmatism.

chapter 1|6 pages

A pragmatic definition of pragmatism

Problem-solving approach

part I|27 pages

What is pragmatism?

chapter 2|5 pages

Fitness beats truth

Towards a definition of pragmatism

chapter 5|6 pages

Pragmatism in policy process framework

chapter 6|7 pages

Varieties of pragmatism

part II|22 pages

China

chapter 7|6 pages

The dao of pragmatism

Going with the flow without being swept away

chapter 8|6 pages

Seeking truth from facts

part III|28 pages

Singapore

chapter 10|7 pages

The ideology of pragmatism

chapter 11|11 pages

A friend to everybody and an ally to none

chapter 12|8 pages

The geography of pragmatism

part V|15 pages

What have we Learnt?

chapter 16|10 pages

Varieties of pragmatism

Muddling through, in style