ABSTRACT
Few would have guessed in 1900 that a sleepy; Swampy island, with an economy centered on fishing, smuggling, and the entertainment of sailors from passing ships, would have the fourth highest income per capita among the countries of the world by 2000. That Singapore has risen meteorically is undeniable. How did such a transformation occur? Does Singapore, which has been an independent state since 1965, provide a model for poorer countries? Can this island republic expect to enjoy further prosperity in 2100?
