The Singapore Miracle: Myth and Reality

Singapore's economic miracle has been sold as a great success story to the world. This bustling city-state has been billed as a highly competitive, cutting-edge society where efficiency reigns. Singapore is regularly ranked as one of the world's most competitive, economically free and transparent states and a first class venue for global business. Singapore is also seen as a developed and wealthy country that has delivered a secure an affluent lifestyle for its citizens equal to anything in the West. The island's per capita income matches that of most Western countries and its housing, health and retirement schemes are widely praised. Such claims are rigorously examined in The Singapore Miracle, Myth and Reality. How much are they myth and how much reality? Do they give Singapore the right to see itself as a role model for developing countries? Or is the Singapore model severely flawed? Could Singapore become another Japan? The book considers all these questions.