zlacker

>>Restle+(OP)
Singapore's rise is amazing. They don't have oil or other natural resources. Singapore adopted free-market capitalism, encouraged foreign direct investment and positioned itself as an attractive destination for multinational corporations. They invested heavily in technical and higher education, ensuring a highly skilled workforce. Singapore is consistently top-three in mathematics and science performance.

>>breadw+2m
Singapore is an interesting case because it looks great on paper but it’s arguably one of the worst/best form of authoritarianism. For example, ~80% of Singaporeans live in public housing, which they don’t technically own (99 year lease), whose rules are dictated by a government agency. Eg, there are police cameras right up to the apartment lifts and every entry/exit; the number of pets they’re allowed to own is regulated and interestingly less than those living in private property arbitrarily (without consideration for property size). Nevermind the complete lack of civil liberties and high gini coefficient/inequality.

>>lgvln+Er
Living in a police state can be awesome, if you don’t want to dissent. Way less crime, no homeless drug users living on the city streets, etc. For a law-abiding middle-class person, Singapore isn’t too terrible