ABSTRACT
Singapore is a city-state on an island situated near the equator with the population of ¼ve million including both permanent residents and non-residents. Its ethnic composition is dominated by Chinese (74 percent) followed by Malay (13 percent) and Indians and others (13 percent). It was a former British colony which was subsequently occupied by the Japanese military during 1942-45. After World War II, Singapore reverted to British rule with increasing self-autonomy. In 1963, Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia. However, this merger proved unsuccessful leading to social unrest and political division between the two parts of the federation. In August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent republic (Lee, 2000). Ever since, the People’s Action Party has ruled Singapore without interruption. Meanwhile, as far as policy capability is concerned, the government of Singapore is reputed to be among the most able governments in the world. The state machinery is staffed with highly competent bureaucrats producing complex policies which normally fail dismally in other countries. This “wise” government regulates all aspects of civil life, including how to walk the streets and who should get married and produce children, which to some people is too intrusive.
