ABSTRACT
Brexit, the Trump and Marine Le Pen phenomena all point to the political salience of those who have not benefited from globalisation. Those familiar with Singapore's political-economic history might feel a sense of deja vu. Many were disenchanted with the effects globalisation: an influx of foreign workers, growth in immigration, rising house prices, as well as increased pressures on health and transportation facilities. The 2011 election was a wake-up call. What is interesting about the Singapore case is that, as a small state with an open economy, Singapore was especially vulnerable to the forces—both good and bad—of globalisation. The People's Action Party government was able to grasp the political nettle by implementing a series of policies that responded to the gripes and grievances of those who benefited least from globalisation. Britain's membership in the EU constrained its policy options—despite its best efforts to decrease immigration, the Cameron government failed.
