李光耀观天下

by Lee Kuan Yew, 李光耀

Language:Chinese.Lee Kuan Yew view of the world (Collector's Edition)
★ 李光耀是亚洲的传奇人物，因为他极强的领导能力和治国才能而倍受尊敬。——潘基文
★ 李光耀对亚洲动态及经济管理的意见及见解，深受世上人尊重。——奥巴马
★ 《李光耀观天下》对世界广泛的课题做了独特和坦率的分析，将半个世纪以来其他领袖向李光耀请教的精辟见解展现于前。——基辛格
李光耀绝笔，每个想认识他的人都应该买一本。
这本书绝不是枯燥的地缘政治论述，也不是全球事务迂回曲折发展的专题报告。
李光耀一生密切地参与国际事务。在本书中，他凭借其丰富经验和深刻洞察力，对今天世界的形势和20年后世界可能展现的面貌提出看法。相反，在横跨美国、中国、亚洲和欧洲的广博叙述中，他剖析了它们的社会、探究其人民的心理，并提出了有关这些国家未来的结论。
李光耀在书中表达的坦率且往往令人惊讶的观点，使本书成为一本新鲜生动又引人入胜的读物；也探讨了他长久以来最关切的新加坡的未来，并让读者一窥他的私人生活和他对死亡的观点。每章中还穿插了他接受《海峡时报》访谈的问答录，有助于读者进一步理解他的观点。

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Asia, China, Business

299 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2013

About the author

Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore in 1923. He was educated at Raffles College, Singapore and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, England. He was called to the Bar, Middle Temple, London, in 1950 and practised law in Singapore. He became advisor to several trade unions.

In 1954, he was a founder of the People's Action Party and was Secretary General up to 1992.

Mr Lee became Singapore's Prime Minister in 1959, serving successive terms until he resigned in November 1990, when he was appointed Senior Minister by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. He was re-appointed again after the 1991, 1997 and 2001 general elections.

In August 2004, Mr Lee was appointed Minister Mentor by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and was reappointed again after the 2006 general elections. He stepped down as Minister Mentor in May 2011, and was appointed Senior Advisor to the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.

Reviews

[Nehal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful, if opinionated book. Fascinatingly told narrative of LKY's perspective of the world. His understanding of China, US, ASEAN nations is impressively insightful. But, there are too many sweeping generalizations - many that beg jato wonder whether his intellectual arrogance is getting better of his judgement.

Fortunately, his judgement is clearly Singapore focussed and no one understands the reality of this country better than him - not it's current Government, not it's neighbors and not (least of all) it's citizens. Thank God his crystal clear views on Singapore helped bring the country to where it is now. Thank you, LKY.

Will someone tell him his views on India need updating? His opinion is largely based on what he witnessed in 1960s! Firstly, this was just one incident he witnessed (too anecdotal); secondly, it happened so long back and so much has changed. No one is denying India's problems. But to write the off to the caste system is (at best) an incredible over-simplification. Seems he couldn't be bothered about India enough for him to reassess or even go any deeper. To each his own...so be it. But that makes me wonder whether he has brought similar opinionatedness to his views on other countries?

Like I said, to each his own... They are his views, for better or for worse.

Kudos for a very nice and readable book. I salute your actions, LKY, but am more circumspect about your views. .

[Nhi Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trong “Ông già nhìn ra Thế giới” Lý Quang Diệu thể hiện tầm nhìn sâu sắc của mình về tình hình đương đại cũng như các dự báo về tương lai trong một thế giới với hai siêu cường là Mỹ và Trung Quốc. Ông thực sự thông tuệ và thẳng thắn.

Bên cạnh một chương rất ngắn nhận định về khả năng phát triển và năng lực của người Việt Nam, Lý Quang Diệu cũng nhắc tới Việt Nam khá nhiều trong các bài phỏng vấn dù lúc đó chủ đề là về các quốc gia khác, ví như Biển Đông sẽ dậy sóng khi Trung Quốc muốn thể hiện quyền lực nhiều hơn và bên chịu áp lực nặng nề nhất, chắc chắn là Việt Nam, rằng ông đã từng nói chuyện với Nixon và tin tưởng Việt Nam là một trong những nước có thể xếp cạnh Trung, Nhật, Hàn trong nhóm “cây lớn mọc thẳng” chứ không phải phận “tầm gửi”…


Đọc cuốn sách cảm phục tầm nhìn và khả năng nắm bắt vấn đề cũng như đi sâu vào bản chất một cách đơn giản của Lý Quang Diệu, nhưng nội dung khiến mình muốn bàn thảo nhất đó là vấn đề Lãnh đạo, dù cuốn sách không có chương nào về Lãnh đạo, nhưng nó luôn xuất hiện trong mọi câu chuyện về các Quốc gia và mọi vấn đề của Thế giới.

LÃNH ĐẠO VÀ KHỦNG HOẢNG

Thường cách nhanh nhất để tạo nên hoặc hạ bệ một lãnh đạo là khủng hoảng. Khủng hoảng sau khi người Anh rời đi đã tạo nên một Lý Quang Diệu và Singapore thành công nổi bật. Khủng hoảng Trung Quốc hậu Mao Trạch Đông đã tạo đà để Đặng Tiểu Bình bước lên và bắt đầu sự tái sinh của một siêu cường. Nhưng khủng hoảng đồng thời cũng dễ dàng chôn vùi sự nghiệp của nhiều nhà lãnh đạo, và xảy ra rất thường xuyên, từ Châu Á đến Châu Âu ,từ Nhật, Hàn đến Pháp, Ý. Họ bị phản đối, bị chỉ trích và từ chức hoặc bị hạ bệ.

Nếu cuộc sống êm đềm trôi, một lãnh đạo giỏi có thể sẽ mất rất nhiều năm thể hiện để được ghi nhận. Nếu trong một tình hình ổn định, các lực lượng xã hội cứ làm các công việc của mình, người lãnh đạo trung bình, chỉ trừ khi đưa ra các quyết sách quá kém cỏi, vị trí của họ cơ bản vẫn an toàn. Trong cuốn sách, Lý Quang Diệu có vẻ cũng không đánh giá quá cao Gerald Ford hay Bush con nhưng hệ thống Mỹ vẫn hoạt động tốt trong thời gian đó.

Tuy nhiên trong khó khăn khủng hoảng thì vai trò của lãnh đạo mới thực sự nổi bật. Có thể chỉ cần chưa đầy một năm, họ sẽ được biết đến là nhà lãnh đạo xuất chúng, hoặc thể hiện rõ một bộ mặt kém tài.

Ví như Covid 19 tràn đến và mọi người thấy tầm quan trọng của một lãnh đạo có năng lực, những quốc gia được coi là tiên tiến nhất cũng có những khó khăn ban đầu trước khi dần dần ổn định được tình thế.

Chúng ta có thể thấy, tại Nhật Bản, Suga lên thay Abe trong kỳ vọng nhưng rồi ông đáp lại công chúng Nhật với nỗi thất vọng tràn trề trong cách đương đầu với Covid. Và ứng cử viên sáng giá cho vị trí Thủ tướng tiếp theo là ông Taro Kono – bộ trưởng vaccine Nhật Bản – một lãnh đạo hiếm hoi trong nội các Nhật có thể nói tiếng Anh lưu loát, thực hiện những đàm phán xuyên đêm với các lãnh đạo doanh nghiệp dược phẩm từ bên kia bờ Thái Bình Dương để đảm bảo tiến độ giao nhận vaccine cho chiến lược tiêm chủng của quốc gia này.

Rồi chúng ta thấy những con người bước chớm chân vào ngạch hành chính, suốt đời chỉ lo phong trào, đường lối, chưa quản lý một đơn vị hành chính hay xử lý những vấn đề kinh tế xã hội thường nhật sẽ gặp ngay những va vấp. Và tất nhiên nếu không xuất sắc, sau va vấp đầu sẽ là liên tiếp những va vấp tiếp theo. Vấn đề xuất phát của người đó bên Đoàn hay bên hành chính công vụ không quan trọng. Quan trọng là họ có sự chuẩn bị ra sao và năng lực như thế nào khi được đặt vào chức vụ lãnh đạo của một đơn vị hành chính với những người thật việc thật. Quá trình trước đó của họ sẽ nói lên rất nhiều điều. Việc có một lộ trình và thử lửa với bảng thành tích rõ ràng vẫn luôn đảm bảo hơn là cất nhắc một vị trí ít liên quan và “cầu may” có sự đột phá.

Trung Quốc có cùng chính thể với Việt Nam và cách họ đề xuất nhân tài thì “cụ Lý” vẫn đánh giá rất cao với cách coi trọng phát triển tầng lớp tinh hoa trong Đảng. Hồ Cẩm Đào đi lên từ cán bộ Đoàn nhưng thể hiện năng lực khi dẹp yên Tây Tạng, Tập Cận Bình góp phần vào tốc độ tăng trưởng 14% của Chiết Giang trước khi rất nhanh nắm bắt cơ hội khi Bí thư Thượng Hải bị tội tham nhũng để về đó và thể hiện được năng lực. Sau đó mọi người đều biết, cả hai đã trở thành lãnh đạo tối cao của Trung Quốc, người cố gắng phát triển hài hòa, người nêu cao giấc mộng Trung Hoa.

Quan trọng là quan chức thể hiện tốt ở địa phương, sau đó giới cầm quyền sẽ tạo cơ hội cho anh leo cao lên những chức vụ lớn hơn tại Trung ương.

Thực tế trong nội các chính phủ Việt Nam vừa rồi bên cạnh Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính được nhiều người nhắc đến với những thành công ở Quảng Ninh, có thể thấy có vị trí PTT Lê Văn Thành – người lãnh đạo Hải Phòng trở thành điểm sáng thu hút đầu tư, lột xác cơ sở hạ tầng và phát triển kinh tế trong những năm vừa qua.

Liệu cách chọn nhân sự lãnh đạo ở các địa phương có tương tự. Ví dụ, đã thể hiện được năng lực quản trị ở tỉnh nhỏ nên cân nhắc qua tỉnh lớn, hoặc ở quận, huyện đạt thành tích vượt trội nên được đề xuất lên thành phố?

Việc thành công ở địa phương không chắc chắn sẽ thành công ở Trung ương. Ví như có nhiều người chỉ phù hợp làm trưởng thôn hơn là chủ tịch xã. Tuy nhiên lộ trình này vẫn đảm bảo nhiều khả năng chính xác hơn là cất nhắc đột xuất một người chưa có kinh nghiệm để thực hiện quản lý tại một đơn vị hành chính lớn.

Có thể, khi thế giới chưa xảy ra đại dịch, năng lực lãnh đạo không được làm rõ như hiện tại nên mọi chuyện ẩn dưới lớp sương mờ. Nhưng với một thế giới ngày càng biến động thì những bước đi vững chắc trong công tác lãnh đạo mới có thể đảm bảo một sự phát triển ổn định cho bất kỳ chính thể nào.

Dù là phóng tầm nhìn toàn thế giới, nhưng đến kết thúc cuốn sách thì Lý Quang Diệu vẫn đau đáu về Singapore, làm sao để có thể thu hút được những người tài năng nhất làm chính trị, làm sao hệ thống vẫn luôn luôn sản sinh ra những nhà kỹ trị mới có thể đưa Singapore phát triển vượt trội.

Có thể đó cũng là câu hỏi quan trọng nhất cho Việt Nam.

[Brit Cheung · Rating 3 out of 5]

People's perspectives could be immensely consistent and coherent within a period so it comes not as a surprise that Mr L.K.Y's ideas in this book bears some resemblance with the ones in his previous works.

This book primarily reflects his views and individual perceptions on regions and the world as a whole.

I shall make a short summary on his ideas on China, The United States, Japan ( India,ASEAN, Korea, middle east are not included this time）

On China
China's revival is not so much a rise as a historical return. It once reached that glory and its her utimate goal to reach that excellence again though it may take a long time. It's a proud country following its own path and not easily susceptible to impacts outside . One-person-one-vote democracy will never come true here and if so it will inevitably collapse. A powerful central goverment is necessary and its democracy will evolve in accordance to its own steps. The Arab Spring is by no means a reality in this land. The aging problem is incresing severe for its future and the modification for the one child policy comes a bit too late.

The future competition between China and US basically relies on economic and technological aspects rather than on military but China will push US away from its EEZ at last. The cooperations between the two bring peace and prosperity for Asia and stategical rivalry signifies bleakness.

On America

The presence of US influence in Asia pacific is essential for ASEAN and will continue to exist in a long term. The dynamic equilavence will persistand this trend enables China's neighboring countries to have more room to manuever in line with their own interests.
The United States is a resilient and innovative nation with the same high pride and the perceptions that the nation is declining is not a precise answer. An free access to global talents wins her immense advantage over China as English is the universal language . What made the nation in an unfavorable condition is its undesirable grass root level educations. And its overwhelmed Latin America based migriants will have unforeseeable consequences on its future social strucure.

On Japan
He has quite negtive vision for Japan's future. Japan has experienced its two lost decades and will continue its third one. The economic stimulus has limited effects in ameliorating its slump and economy predicament. The root cause is its ieversible aging population and to make it worse, Japan is absolutely not inclusive to immigrants. Japan will morph into a mediocre nation gradually and there is no visible change for this trend.

Well, it's not a review but some discrete narratives for the book. But if I were not to record it, I would not remember having read it in the weeks to come. It is not a satisfactory review for me…definitely…! After having been plagued with exams for the past days I just need a while to get my thoughts back!

乙未十二月三十日

[waitsforsleep · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I read LKY and I think its fair to say that he writes like he speaks. A very shrewd, no-bullshit and heavily opinionated take(one man's nevertheless) on how the last 50 years played out for this little planet. The key difference being, unlike your average TV news talking head, LKY really has a stellar "been-there-done-that" track record to back up his observations.

[Tomasz Onyszko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read more about Singapore and Kuan Yew Lee last year. I read his memoirs first - it gave me political background on the region and history of Singapore in modern times.

I picked up this one to read his thoughts on the general world and regions.

First of all I would like to have more people like him in the governments. I can't recall a single time when I heard something like his words from the public acting politicians in my government or other governments.

His leadership and vision clearly has contributed to the Singapore success. This book gives a view on what might happen with Asia, China, Singapore and other regions from his point of view.

This book is few years old but you can see now how some of things mentioned in it are starting to unfold (and most likely will unfold as a fallout of COVID19).

I like his clear vision and straight to the point thinking, pragmatic, no bullshit answers to questions, judgement based on the best interest of the country he established and built not on a party or particular politician short term outcome.

I recommend to read it for two reasons:
- the future of the regions he described (I very much agree from my point of view with his point of view on it)
- to see what should be a standard of people serving in government / politics.

[Hannah Lychee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should say that I definitely should have read this book earlier!

I bought the book in 2017 from Changi Airport, left it in my bookcase for 7 years, now I read it!

Lee Kuan Yew is such a sharp and talented human being. Even at 89, his mind is still so surprisingly sharp.

Looking back on his predictions of the world, well, in some ways, it’s correct. I don’t say that the world is happening exactly 100% as his projections. But when you think about it, he based his predictions on logic, on the very nature of each country mentioned. I still see those points as solid, succinct, and valid even as of today.

In summary, I would summarize as a way of remembering as below:
- China: Strong center means strong country. May I need to read more about Deng Xiaoping.
- US: Welcome immigrants, still strong but not so long
- EU: issue with Euro, same monetary policies but different fiscal policies.
- India: Stuck in the caste system, brain drain, weak infrastructure
- Malaysia: Demographic mix can be a problem, with Malay being in charge
- Thailand: No coming back from Thaksin
- Indonesia: big country in SEA, large population, efficient with localization, weak infrastructure to connect islands
- Vietnam: potential not fully utilized
- Myanmar: sr I forget ...
- Singapore: at crossroads. The biggest issue is the low birth rate due to changed lifestyles, not very welcoming for immigrants
- Environment issues: EU is the ones feel it more clearly, that's why they are more proactive on this. But gradullay, everybody will get involved when they experienced the consequences.

Anyway, I think I should read more books by Lee Kuan Yew, can learn a lot, really!

[Chester Lee Wey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, great book. My first book on politics and for a novice this really expanded my worldview. It also made me more cognizant about Lee Kuan Yew's smarts and why he had been seen as a model politician even by leaders of countries that are immeasurably larger than Singapore.

My biggest takeaway was the part about the EU and the problems they face with integration.

Coming from Singapore, our culture has been one of efficiency, hard work, and progress, and we have definitely placed less emphasis on welfare, happiness, relaxation compared to nations like the US and EU. I am grateful for my country's circumstances and I believe in working hard - we wouldn't be where we are today without this work ethic to drives many Singaporeans today still. The only questions in my mind are how far do we continue to push ourselves for progress, and when do we take a step back and enjoy the fruits of our (and our parents!) labor?

[Szymon Kulec · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5, absolutely amazing.

Lee Kuan Yew was a nation maker. He created Singapore as it is today and steered it towards its modern shape. He was not a man of weak uninformed opinions. Rooted in reality, understanding cross-country dependencies he laid the country foundations using the shared language (English) with focusing on Singaporeans being open and well-educated.

This book, beside being a great introduction to the Singapore history, it deepened my understanding of Asia a lot. Whether it's Four Tigers, Chinese evolution towards its modern shape, I'd learnt a lot. Not to mention the prophetic asymmetries stretching the European Union.

The main thing that pushed me to reach for this book, was a long interview with the current primer minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong. The way he presented ideas, delved into complex topics... You don't find that kind of clarify a lot in the modern mangled political scene. The fact that Mr. Wong's and Yew's party has been ruling for 50+ years shows something.

I'm sad that I read that late. It was on my bookshelf for such long time. Still, even being 10 years old now, it greatly increased my understanding of Singapore and its region.

[Nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given how much public opinion we're subjected to on social media, I started this book simply because I wanted to understand the opinion of a man who had nothing to prove to the world. He had a major role to play in Singapore's present day glory.

LKY gave a background of some major powers and ASEAN countries in terms of why they are where they are. Why a strong central power works in China, why the US is so powerful, and why Singapore was able to do much better than its neighbors, etc. But more than that he explains what factors decide a country's growth. Spoiler, language, birth rate, dynamism, a politician's salary are important (there are many more, but these stood out to me). It's possible that not all his opinions are on point (example, his take on India felt incorrect which led me to further question his opinion on other Countries). But a lot of what he says made sense and educated and excited me enough to pursue more information on the subject. He's made some predictions that stand true to current geo-political climate to a large extent.

As long as this book is treated as an opinion, however much educated, for someone who wants to learn about geopolitics, its a gold mine.

[CTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all the books written by LKY himself and have become a fan. For someone with his breadth of knowledge, insight into human nature, and accomplishments, he was amazingly humble. Time and again he recounted in his memoirs the mistakes he had made and the lessons he had learned from others. Surely he must have made a lot of enemies on his rise to power. And of course one might disagree with him on ideology. But I can't see how anyone can deny the fact that he had devoted his entire adult life to building a successful Singapore.

This book, as are all his other writings, is wonderfully blunt. I suppose some might call it politically incorrect. But correct or not, he was praised by world leaders, many of whose very countries were subjects of his critiques. I am no politician, but nonetheless I find the book highly educational. He showed me what it takes to be a decent human being.

[refine here · Rating 4 out of 5]

LKY sees things from all perspective, his holistic approach on looking at what is happening around him. And I think that passion, curiosity and drive to understand things around him WhAT made Singapore today. Looking at his pictures collection inside the book is really astonishing, how many leaders and from different era he had met. I would thank him for giving his time to WRiTE this book for us. Thank you Sir! Salut and may God Bless you!

[Aihua · Rating 5 out of 5]

One mans view of the world by Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who had spent a lifetime being intimately involved in international affairs. My international relations 101. Still five star though I can not agree all his options.

[Son Sitthavee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book to learn about Singapore and their first leader’s thoughts. He is CRAZY SHARP ASIAN. He judged and summarized each country very direct (a bit stereotype) from his insight. I rec this book to those who are interested in how the red dot like Singapore became so rich and powerful.

[PMP · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me LLOL (literally laugh out loud). Oh, to be 90 and to speak your unadulterated mind. Needs better copy-editing though.

[Coco Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Lee Kuan Yew has such a sharp mind and practical view of the world.

[Suyun · Rating 4 out of 5]

全球化不断发展和大国不会发生冲突这两个前提都被打破了，内部的韬光养晦和深化改革也朝着反方向，要是他还在世，怕是要对中国的观点改改了～还有他老觉着新加坡要是两党就会变的平庸，跟新加坡人口差不多的北欧基本都有七八个党，不联合起来都没办法组阁，也发展的挺好的～

[Jamizal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book on geopolitics i have ever read. completed reading during my two weeks assignment in Singapore. What makes LKY greats is his clarity of thought. Also confident with his opinion and able to defend it. Once he form a view he will implement it diligently. He is one of the politicians that i adore apart from Tun Mahathir. He is direct and honest with his views. No drama and speaks his mind. This is the example of leader by examples and as a result you could see Singapore what it is now.

[Liusmiler323 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book at 1:00 in the midnight. It's a good book with broad and clear view of the whole world. In brief, I get the impression of major countries/districts as follows:
China - no possibility to change its basic centre-oriented regime.
Europe - fragmented, made worse by the euro currency.
US - still the No.1 with the best system.
India - Sunk deeply in the caste and can't catch up with China.
Japan - no sufficient labor at the right age, while still hard to accept immigrants.
Indonesia - on the path to a decentralised governance regime.
Thailand - the king is losing support in the lower rank of the society.
Middle East - still no way out, so sad...

[DRESSBOOM Magyarországi Fióktelepe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great book

[Ryan Duan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I <3 LKY

[Linda Sheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical idealism

[Prakash Holla · Rating 4 out of 5]

LKY is a visionary in true sense..his predictions about politics and economics are mostly spot on..stepping down from power politics at one’s peak is something all the leaders can learn from him..the book can be used as a ready reckoner for future leaders as it discusses all kinds of issues that any nation can face..a simple, humble but rigid leader shares his experiences honestly..

[Lone Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards! This is your life and mine! I've spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is going to knock it down".

This iconic quote was delivered during a lunchtime election rally at Fullerton Square during the December 1980 General Election campaign. While often associated with his later reflections on leadership, this specific fiery warning about the "iron" needed to govern Singapore was driven by an immediate national crisis and a critical political transition. This is the "Iron-man" – Lee Kuan Yew, the most admired and respected political leader from Singapore.

It is a book he wrote through his interactions with various people and politicians over the last 50 years in government. I will try to jot down only a few sentences that resonate and amplify my thoughts on the worldview that aligned with his. Especially the view of Malaysia. So much could have been achieved if we were able to be led by such a wise man and character. (I'm Malaysian)

China

"For 5000 years, the Chinese have believed that the country is safe only when the centre is strong. A weak centre means confusion and chaos. A strong centre leads to a peaceful and prosperous China... It is their cardinal principle, drawn from deep-stated historical lessons."

"Reunification between Taiwan and the Mainland is a matter of time. No country can prevent it. Taiwan's international fate was, in fact, sealed a long time ago at the Cairo Conference in 1943 when Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill agreed with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek on the return of Taiwan to China....Economics will resolve the problem. Gradual and inexorable economic integration will bring the two societies together, and China will see no need for force."

At State enterprises that are less efficient, China faces a fundamental problem of personal motivation. They are trying to get officials to be more like private entrepreneurs. That will not work because, unless you are holding on to 20 percent of the shares, and you live with the fear that the stock market could crash on you, you wouldn't wake up to do something about it. Your salary will goes on. Whether the business goes up or goes down, you just get your salary. But when you have your whole livelihood, all your stocks in a company, you worry about it 24 hours a day."

"China needs to make the transition from an export-driven economy to one driven by domestic consumption, like the US economy. For this to happen, you must have a change in the mentality of your middle and lower-middle classes, who have been poor for so long....The income gap is one factor holding back domestic consumption, because the spending power is only in the coastal provinces and cities, and not among the larger rural population and those living land."


America

"The success of America lies in its dynamic economy, sustained by an uncanny ability not just to produce the same with less, but to constantly innovate – that is, to invent completely new goods and services that the rest of the world soon finds to be useful and desirable."

"Americans' key advantage – their dynamism – will not disappear. America is, by far, the more creative society. And the fact that the Americans are having an internal debate about whether or not they are declining is a healthy sign. It means they have not become complacent."

They were not interested in hanging on to old-type jobs that can be done by China, India, and Eastern Europe. They saw their future in a world where wealth was generated not by making widgets or cars, but by brain power, imagination, artistry, knowledge, and intellectual property."

The Chinese have the wiser foreign policy approach. They do not believe it is their business to change the system. They deal with a system as it is and get whatever advantages they can out of it, without entangling themselves. The problem with Americans is that they go in believing they have the power to change the system. Time and again, they have been proven wrong."


Europe

" The fundamental problem with the Euro is that you cannot have monetary integration without fiscal integration – especially in a region with spending and thrift habits as diverse as those of Germany and Greece."

" You get the Eurozone. Some countries surged ahead while others struggled to keep pace. In countries that fell behind economically, governments were under electoral pressure to maintain or even increase public spending, even though tax receipts decreased."

" The self-reliant attitude is more common in America....it is a different philosophy, one based on the principle that work makes the individual and society better off, and underpinned by the belief that overly generous benefits tend to become a debilitating constraint on drive and an inadvertent suppressor of incentives. The European model has created a class of people who have grown used to subsidies and therefore lack a strong work ethic."


Japan

"Demographics determine the destiny of a people. If you are declining in population, as a nation, you are declining in strength. Old people do not change their cars and television sets. They do not buy new suits or new golf clubs. They have all the things they need.:

"The Japanese are also peerless in the way they strive for perfection in everything they do – from the production of defect-free television sets and cars to the putting together of the best-tasting sushi. The sense of teamwork in the Japanese workforce gives them that edge over other countries."


India

"India was never a single homogeneous entity. It was a concept thought up by the British. And despite the best efforts of the British and the Indian nationalists, India as a nation is still more of an inspiration than a reality."

" To ask India can achieve what China can is to ask if you can make an apple into an orange. The results of these fundamental differences between India and China are quite apparent. One country gets things done. The other talks incessantly but seldom finds the will or ability to get up and go. India simply does not have the same push or the singleness of purpose that you see in China."

" The caste system is a further complication of India. It is another key factor that holds back development in the country. According to the rules of the caste system, when you marry downwards, you automatically lose caste. Therefore, Brahmins tend to marry only Brahmins, Vaishyas only Vaishyas, Dalits only Dalits, and so on."

" The country has developed a reputation for being inconvenient for investors because it does not have a solid infrastructure in place for doing business: container ports, railways, airports, communications, and liveable cities."

" It is with sadness that I make these observations about India. I started out rooting for India because it was a Democracy, while China was an Autocracy. Then I grew older, and I realised two things. One, that democracy is no magic potion. It does not solve all the problems for all people. China would not have gotten to where it is today if it had been run as a democracy. Two, that there are certain fundamental forces at work in societies – especially those with long histories – that do not change easily. India is trapped by the almost unchangeable realities of its internal composition and the persistent grip of the caste system."


Malaysia

"If the Tunku had been firm and had put down the Malay ultras and built a multiracial Malaysia, allowing the Chinese and Indians a share of power in the police, the army, and the civil service, there could be a more prosperous and fairer Malaysia than what it is today. Much of what has been achieved in Singapore could have been replicated throughout Malaysia."

"Malaysia's race-based policies place the country at a disadvantage. It is voluntary shrinking the talent pool needed to build the kind of society that makes use of talent from all races. They are prepared to lose that talent in order to maintain the dominance of one race."


"Any party that takes the place of Umno and becomes the main party representing Malay interests will not act very differently from Umno."

These are only a few thoughts that I jotted down that I find interesting and resonate with. The rest will let it sink in my thoughts and flip the book again whenever I want to.

[Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Man's View of the World by Respected Leader of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew presents a sharp and convincing analysis, highlighting the consequences of the inevitable rebalancing of global power between the US and China. Europe being in the decline and poorer as well as Asia's opining up (Myanmar & Vietnam), and the obstacles of the Asian Tigers. Arab Spring that refuses to bring the Summer that was expected and many more…

I was disappointed by Lee's inability to talk about Africa and South America. As somebody who tries to explain his expectation of the new era, ignoring these two continents doesn't add up to his predictions.

The final chapters that talk about Lee's disbelief about the Hereafter and his confusion about the existence of God makes me say (Alhamdulillah ala ni'imatul Islam).

I am impress to see how much Lee admires Apple products, with the iPhone on his mind in particular.

It is a great book indeed.

[Cheyanne Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand why this book has its fair share of haters overseas, some of LKY's comments on other countries show no restraint. His frank and powerful reasoning results in many powerful takeaways from the book, and I felt that almost everything he said for international relations was useful.

For his views on individual regions/countries, I found America the most revealing and noteworthy. The coverage of American politics (and most of everything else) tends to be exaggerated, making it sound like a bigger problem than it really is and that one should look past the rhetoric in order to be able to truly understand of the nation.

I recommend taking LKY's comments with a pinch of salt when he lets emotions get in the way. This shows up now and then regarding domestic issues, and I found myself thinking that there were potentially other solutions that could have been explored, whereas LKY wrote off the problem at hand as unsolvable.

A must read for Singaporeans.

[Katerina Koronis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a must-read for anyone who would like to have a holistic picture of the future of our world. Although it is one man's view, LKY worldview is very wide and deep. The fact that he expressed his respect to all leaders he mentioned in the book makes me think that he was a very deep thinker. Definitely, he has seen the mistakes and shortcomings of such leader of Mao but the same time he managed to learn even from him, his mistakes.

Actually, this book has opened a new world of literature for me. I became addicted to learning history and all discussions on politics that are made by highly educated people. I learned to love listening to other people's opinions. It is like I have been amongst KLY and his editors when he was working on the book. I gained knowledge and understanding of a variety of views on the world's development.

[Negin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t have much of a review. I could have done with less of the China butt-kissing. The afterword or whatever it was, written by the editors or whoever was sprinkled with small, but noticeable doses of TDS. Grow the heck up and get over it. Trump, although flawed for sure, did not start any wars, unlike his war-monger predecessor.

Here are some interesting quotes:

Welfare State
“… you cannot have your cake and eat it. If you want the competitiveness that America currently has, you cannot avoid creating a considerable gap between the top and the bottom, and the development of an underclass. If you choose instead the welfare state, as Europe did after the Second World War, you naturally become less dynamic.
If welfare spending had simply stagnated at a certain level, the situation might still be under control. Instead, such spending has a tendency of growing over time, not just in absolute terms but also in terms of its share of a nation’s total income. This is partly because populist pressures prompt the expansion of
existing schemes. But more important perhaps is the uncanny ability, observed by veteran Swedish journalist Ulf Nilson, of the welfare system to ‘generate its own demand’. He wrote in 2007, insightfully: ‘Welfare produces clients, assurance against injuries in the workplace produces injuries… the refugee policy, refugees; the ability to retire before retirement age, people who retire early.’ In other words, some rational citizens of these European countries invariably end up gaming the system, whether consciously or unconsciously. In some cases, people reportedly collect unemployment benefits, which can go up to three-quarters of their last-drawn salaries, while engaging in part-time work in the informal economy. This gave them two sets of income, to the loss of the taxpayer.
The most pernicious effect of the welfare state, however, lies not in its inflexibility or its unaffordable nature but in the negative effect it has on the individual’s motivation to strive. If the social security system is designed so you get the same benefits whether you work hard or lead a more laid-back lifestyle, why would you work hard? The spurs on your hinds are not there.”

“As a student in England after the war, I remember being enamoured of the early efforts of the Clement Attlee government to fund generous cradle-to-grave benefits for one and all. I was pleasantly surprised, for example, to be told that I did not owe any payment after receiving a brand new pair of glasses from the optician. They came with the compliments of the National Health Service. What a civilized society, I thought. What I did not understand at the time, but did later, was the potential of such blanket provisions to promote inefficiency and inaction. The intentions were entirely noble. Having gone through two world wars which destroyed almost everything, the governments and peoples of Europe wanted a quiet, peaceful life for everyone with the burden shared equally. The people who fought and paid the price in blood were not the elites as much as the proletariat. There was a strong feeling of indebtedness towards the lower classes. So, when there was a move by politicians calling for fairness and for social welfare policies that looked after the unemployed, the sick and the old, widespread support was secured fairly effortlessly. For many years, Europe could afford these policies. The Marshall Plan helped most of Western Europe get back on its feet by fuelling a relatively robust recovery from the desolation of war. Workers’ salaries rose and the taxes they paid could fund the welfare state. But nothing stays static. The game eventually changed for Europe. As the world became more globalised, the lower-skilled European workers found themselves competing not just among themselves but with workers from Japan, and later from China and India as well. Exports were undercut and industries gradually moved their production centres to Asia. Naturally, the wages of European workers also declined. Without the entrance of China, India and Japan, the welfare state would probably have remained viable for quite some time. But with their entrance, it did not take long for welfare to become unsustainable. The Europeans, of course, tried their best to evolve towards the production of higher-value goods and services, but there is a limit to how much a country can do on
this front. You may want to move up the scale but significant segments of the population may not be able to move because it would involve learning new skills, which takes time, energy and, above all, will. Moreover, the Japanese, the Chinese and the Indians are not incapable of upgrading themselves. This is an unrelenting contest of constant self-improvement, and the gains you can make on your competitors in any given year are usually meagre. It finally depends on the innate qualities of a people and the way they are organised and governed. If it were Europe versus Fiji or Tonga, then it may be true that the latter have no hope of catching up. But we are talking here about Europe versus Japan, Europe versus China and Europe versus possibly India. It is a completely different story.
Laws and policies, unfortunately, do not change as easily as global circumstances do. Entitlements, once
given, are notoriously difficult to take back. There is a tremendous penalty in votes for any government that has the guts to try. Margaret Thatcher of Britain used what political acumen and capital she had to try to reverse the policies. In the end, she succeeded only in half-reversing them. The other European leaders must have watched and seen her partial success. But they faced electorates that were in no mood to give up what had already been taken for granted over the years. The problem had become entrenched for many of these European countries.”

[Adrian Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really loved about this book is it gives you a quick introduction to world politics and history. And it gives you a perspective of the world when you have none. It helps you understand why certain countries have certain policies and behave in a certain way. It also helped me understand the more macro considerations in planning for a nation.

All in all, it turns out to be a very interesting read even if you are not into politics or history. The book has inspired me to want to find out more about a country's history and how their history is responsible for how they are to day as I travel around the world.

[Joseph Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

作为一个华裔领导人，李光耀对中国的理解，比世界其他国家领导人着实深刻很多。对新加坡周边，亦即东亚各国的形势也看得透彻。GCD及中国民众确实偏向一个强大的中央，因为只有这样才能和平并稳定发展。美国、新加坡，多元化但都有自己国家共通的语言让他们博采众长，而同一个政治经济机构又能让全国即使不均衡发展也得以共力平衡。而观欧洲则不然，虽然共通欧元，但各自国家经济及政治政策也相对独立，没有很好的融合，久则更显分裂。文化多元化上面，日本则更显固守，而韩国则更寻求多元国际化。印度这深入文化的种姓制度，不破除也势必影响国家发展。“中国的今天，就是越南的明天”也是对的，因为越南缺乏有真知灼见且勇气十足的领导人，所以也只能对中国亦步亦趋。

[Mai Anh Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dựa trên kinh nghiệm phong phú và hiểu biết sâu rộng của mình, Lý Quang Diệu đã đưa ra quan điểm về thế giới đương đại với tầm nhìn 20 năm sau. Thông quan lập luận sắc bén, ông đã gửi đến người đọc những phân tích sâu sắc xã hội các nước từ đó rút ra kết luận về sự tồn tại các dân tộc và vị thế của họ trên bậc thang quyền lực."