Review 2: Singapore's Authoritarian Capitalism Asian Values, Free Market Illusions and Political Dependency, by Christopher Lingle (1996)
Reviewed by:
Han Dorussen,
Norweigan University of Science and Technology,
Public Choice Vol. 93, Nos. 1-2, 210-213 (1997)
"The timing of Christopher Lingle's book is admirable. Public attention is once again focused on East Asia. Recent events like the military posturing of China versus Taiwan, the man-made humanitarian drama unfolding in North Korea, border-tensions between North and South Korea, and political unrest in Indonesia have all captured the attention of the international media. So far, however, Singapore's regime, under leadership of Mr. Lee Kuaw Yew and the People's Action Party, has escaped public scrutiny. Actually, Singapore's apparent success with combining authoritarian rule, political stability, and economic prosperity still make it act like an ideological leader in the region. Lingle provides a personally involved and extensive critique of Singapore's political, economic, and social reality. He paints a picture of Singapore as a place where one would definitely not want to live and, perhaps, not even do business. Lingle argues that the long-run political, social and economic costs should discredit Singapore's authoritarian rule as a role-model for East Asia."
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