Singapore: The Air-conditioned Nation. Essays on the Politics of Comfort and Control, 1990-2000

by Cherian George

Sharp commentaries on Singapore politics and contemporary issues by former journalist Cherian George compiled in one volume. The book presents a collection of stimulating essays that get to the very heart of the Singapore system and the dynamics shaping it, revealing many of the tensions and contradictions inherent in the "air-conditioned nation" and the factors accounting for the political success of the ruling People's Action Party.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Asia, Essays, Academic, Sociology

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Cherian George, born in Singapore in 1965, is a journalist-turned-academic who has written on Singapore politics for 30 years. After studying social and political sciences at Cambridge and journalism at Columbia, he spent the 1990s working at the Straits Times. He received his PhD in communication at Stanford in 2003 and is currently a professor of media studies at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Reviews

[ash | songsforafuturepoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I'm reading Cherian George and I must say I really enjoyed his writing. He displays such intelligence and clear expertise and scholarship through his essays. His writing is concise and relatable - for an academic writing on his life's work, his writing never came across as lofty or lecturing, rather, his passion for the subject and love for his country really shone through and sets a foundation for his sharp observations and critical analyses. George also has a dry humor which I thoroughly enjoyed. Here's one passage from Chapter 25: The Web's Missing Link (which is tongue-in-cheek):

"Singaporeans may fancy ourselves as citizens of the most envied nation in the region, but there are some things across the Causeway that make us wide-eyed with wonder. Why is it, for example, that the average Malaysian roti canai beats even our best prata in taste and texture? How did Malaysia build the region's most charismatic budget airline when we're supposed to be the transport hub of Asia?"

The Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited features 37 essays from George from the past 2 decades, commenting on democracy, the history of prime ministers, the opposition parties, social issues, the government's relationship with journalism and media in Singapore, national identity, and the government's way of dealing with dissent.

Easily one of my favourite pieces is the title piece and first chapter The Air-Conditioned Nation, which is a great introductory essay that sets the tone for the rest of the book. George likens Singapore to air-conditioner, which our very own Lee Kuan Yew professed to be his pick for the most-influential invention of the millennium. It's a very easy analogy for the reader to understand our relationship with comfort and 'central control' and how it ties into our politics.

Unlike other essay collections I have read, this is a very well-curated collection of a wide variety of issues, topics, and events. You won't find repeated or similar pieces here. It also shows the impressive range that George has in his writing.

My other favourite pieces are:

1. Chapter 14: Chee's Collision Course. Interesting and well researched piece on Chee Soon Juan - the motivations of the government and its considerations when ‘dealing’ or ‘fighting’ with the activist/opposition party figure. I liked the analysis on how Chee's tactics were strategic to garner foreign srutiny of Singapore’s policies on free speech and the one-party dominance.
2. Chapter 19: The PAP I Can Get Behind. George laid out his wishlist for a better PAP which includes fairness, the ability to acknowledge mistakes and respond to them, and a more directed approach to ensure equality for everyone.
3. Chapter 21: The Dogma Behind Pofma. An in-depth and well-reasoned analysis on the history of the government's policies around censorship and the criticism of Pofma.

I really appreciate that this book set out to inform the average Singaporean about politics believing that every one of us should be able to make informed choices, gently but firmly pushing against a nontransparent government and our restrictions on free speech, in the way George knows how after 30 years of doing that. A must read for residents of Singapore looking to be able to think critically about our politics and making informed voting choices. I'll leave you with this quote from Chapter 16: The Spectre of Freak Elections that warmed my cold, dead, heart:

"On the whole, I credit Singaporeans with more sophistication and common sense that elite rhetoric grants them. There is simply no evidence that the Singapore electorate is prone to impulsive, flighty, or fickle behaviour. Look at the way it votes and you'll see an impressively level-headed public that knows what it wants."

Thanks to Ethos Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

[David Mah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish more Singaporeans gave a bit of their time and effort to ponder the system, how it came to be, and how it could be. Idealistic yet sobering, Cherian articulates the troubled feelings I have but could not describe. Discourse in his book ranges from problems in education, censorship, government coercion, and political capital.

One quote which I feel encapsulates the reason for the high levels of apathy amongst my social circles is this:

"Singapore's tragedy is not the total absence of idealism, but that it systematically rewards the individualistic majority and discourages the social conscious minority"

Humorous and overall enjoyable, Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited lives up to the hype, and was worth the 4-week waitlist at NLB.

"I don't subscribe to the populist tendency to reward relatability over ability. I have enough friends to share a prata with; I don’t need government leaders to fill that role. "

[grace koh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty, informative and well-compiled series of essays. Definitely a succinct account of Singapore’s history, politics and where we are heading. Probably a staple for every GP student / good Singaporean.

[Basil Chong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essays from 2000, 2015, 2017, and 2020 make up this thought-provoking collection. The fact that a little under half (16 out of 37) of these essays were written 20 years ago does not mean that this book is irrelevant or outdated. In fact, as Cherian himself states in the preface:

Twenty years seems a long time in the life of a fast-changing city-state. In that time, the number of people in Singapore rose by 45 per cent. The nation got richer, and more developed. Singaporeans are more connected, and live longer... The political system, though, has remained exceptionally stable.

It is this stability that animates the book. By what means, fair or foul, has the PAP maintained its performance and dominance? What opportunities (and dangers) does this longevity present to the political party, and to the nation (intertwined, for better or for worse)?

Cherian is intelligent, thoughtful, and freely admits an inability to be "objective", as he is invested in Singapore. Recommended for Singaporeans and Singapore-fans who are looking for well-researched, thoughtful criticism of the Singapore model.

Readers who enjoyed chapter 22 (Freedom From The Press) should read the book with the same title, which still provides insights to the media scene in Singapore 8 years after publication.

[Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and timely read on how we came to be where we are (especially before elections are probably called...next month??). Saddened by how little has changed. I also went to check Cherian's Instagram and I hope he's still having fun on his vacation in Australia!

[Guan Jie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard of the phrase "Air Conditioned Nation" before. I thought this was Singapore's nickname purely because we survive on air-conditioning. Everyone knows of the feeling about sweating in the sweltering heat outdoors (the mask makes things worse) only to be saved by the rush of cool air on the bus/MRT/mall. While true, I learned that the nickname was coined because Singapore is a:

a society with a unique blend of comfort and central control, where people have mastered their environment, but at the cost of individual autonomy, and at the risk of unsustainability.

Hence, Air-Conditioned Nation.

Overall, it's a great start to learning more about Singapore's recent political and politically-affiliated history. It's a collection of essays published over the past 25 years or so from the author. The essays are well reasoned and it doesn't bash the government for no reason at all. It offers an alternative perspective.

I saved a lot of quotes from this collection of essays, here's one more.

Only those who have forgotten the pangs of hunger will think of consoling the hungry by telling them that they should be free before they can eat. Our experience is that economic growth is the necessary foundation of any system that claims to advance human dignity, and that order and stability are essential for development. - Wong Kan Seng, Foreign Minister 1993

[Fang Yiyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an anthology of essays from Cherian George’s two works on Singapore politics—Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation (2000) and Singapore, Incomplete (2017); both collections of essays themselves. It also includes a few of his latest essays, published in 2020. That being said, the lack of new content (less than a handful of essays) does leave the reader wanting for more, especially those who are already familiar with the author’s works (for me, I had already read Singapore, Incomplete).

Each essay (chapter) is a standalone, usually ranging from 5 to 8 page apiece, and along with the author’s journalistic background and clear prose, makes for good quick reading while commuting, waiting for appointments, during meals or before bedtime.

The chapters are organised into 7 themes:
First, “The Singapore Model” sets the tone for what the book is about—the paternalistic, controlled, “air-conditioned” nature of Singapore politics. Of particular interest are Chapters 2 (Defending the “Asian” Way) and 4 (An Allergy to Democracy), explaining that the PAP’s knee-jerk reaction against Western liberal ideals is due in part to a disproportionate need to defend and preserve “Asian values” against growing Western global influence since the 1990s. The fact that the two essays were written 17 years apart demonstrates the continuity of the PAP’s attitudes. Indeed, by combining essays from his two old books, Cherian George allows us to easily view changes and continuities in his own attitudes and the issues he writes about.
Next, “Palace Intrigues” explores the policymaking of the PAP, including the issue of the elected Presidency and reserved Presidency. Again, we see how some issues persist of are mirrored from 2000 to 2017: the elected Presidency (its controversies unresolved over the decades, and now with the added complication of the reserved Presidency), leadership transition (2G in the 1990s, 4G today) and post-LKY politics (first when he stepped down in the 1990s, then again when he passed on in 2015).
“Electoral Politics” explores how the PAP maintains electoral dominance, including two chapters focusing on the infighting of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), while “Upgrading the PAP” is about how the PAP could/should reform some of its attitudes.
“Controlling the message” explains the government’s policies towards the media—and why it continuously “fails to impress” those hoping for more press freedom and dissent. As a former Straits Times journalist, the author offers interesting insights—sometimes first-hand—about how the local media is constantly kept in check, directly or indirectly.
“National Identity”, as expected, is about such issues as race and citizenship. Finally, “Disciplining Dissent” explains the PAP’s “soft authoritarian” methods. Cherian George’s background as a “dissenter” or “troublemaker” provides juicy anecdotes for what is perhaps the most interesting essay of all: Chapter 35 (Experiential Learning), about how his political views likely prevented him from gaining tenure as an academic at NTU (he now teaches in Hong Kong).

By the author’s own admission, his own writings from 2000 may be a bit “cringeworthy”. But, as mentioned above, that is also precisely what makes the book fascinating, when placed in contrast with his more recent (2017) articles from Singapore, Incomplete–did certain hopes and expectations turn out correct, wrong or naïve? What were the changes and continuities? Did his views change over time? Furthermore, for those too young to remember first-hand anything before 2000, the older articles also offer a crash course on more antique political events.

As alluded earlier, the author’s journalist background makes his work succinct, entertaining and accessible—but that also means those hoping for an in-depth, sustained academic/technical work on Singapore politics will be disappointed. For those seeking such content, it’d be better to redirect your attention to Chua Beng Huat’s Liberalism Disavowed, Bilveer Singh’s Is the People’s Action Party Here to Stay?, Donald Low’s Hard Choices, and Terence Lee and Kevin Tan’s Voting in Change (2011) and Change in Voting (2016) (both also published by Ethos Books!).
Instead, The Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited is more in the style of Chua Mui Hoong’s Singapore, Disrupted and Han Fook Kwang’s Singapore in Transition. The book should appeal more to a general audience, or those preferring something less academic (though no less insightful). Indeed, despite not being a political scientist (his professorship is in media studies), Cherian George demonstrates excellent mastery (and ability to effectively and clearly communicate) technical insight, especially in his discussion on elections (in particular, that of a “freak election”) and on POFMA (namely, how it concentrates too much power on the executive branch, strengthens dogmatism and setting the tone for state-society relations). Quality, in his works, is not sacrificed for more digestible quantity.

Throughout, Cherian George remains fair, analytical, even-handed and professional—this is not the work of an angry, outcasted dissenter; it is the informed opinion of a Singaporean journalist-turned-academic. If it at times seems imbalanced, it is only because of the subject nature of the book—it is about the deficiencies and dysfunctionalities of Singapore politics, and how to understand—and, within reality’s constraints—also hopefully address them.

One may not agree entirely with the author’s views, but it is hard to deny that they are well-thought-out, well-researched, thought-provoking, insightful, original and, most importantly, well-intentioned. Rather than an overly dry academic piece, or pro-government “propaganda”, or mindless cynicism, Cherian George throws a rope to any citizen with an interest in Singapore politics and who think that, while we should be grateful for what we have and give the PAP credit where credit is due, our country can still do better—that in the air-conditioned island nation, it is sometimes sensible to turn the heat up just a little.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read and one of my favourites of 2024 so far. Refreshing and insightful essays with original takes on Singapore's political system and atmosphere. This is my go-to book to recommend to strangers and friends who are curious about Singapore. It took me two weeks to finish, and I'm still digesting George's arguments because they were incredibly thought-provoking.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Cherian George. Whether or not you agree with every point he makes, he comes across as intelligent and principled, and passionate about his country. In this collection of essays he explores the meaning of democracy and freedom, and asks difficult questions about how things are done in Singapore. You know that old song, ‘It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it’? That’s what kept playing in my head as I read. The book reads not as a complaint about government competence, integrity or achievement, which are not in question, but more as a heartfelt cry for a free and energised civic society; for an investment in the messy creativity of difference; for a new trust in the ability of citizens, with the right kind of nurture, to think clearly and contribute fearlessly to the political life of this extraordinary nation.

If you have already read Cherian George’s ‘Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation’ (2000) and ‘Singapore Incomplete’ (2017) then this book will feel like a revisit. The Preface is new, and there are two useful brand new chapters (2020) reflecting on the 4G leadership and POFMA (the new online falsehoods law). The rest is previously published material grappling with the politics of comfort and control, and whether the future can be imagined differently. I hope it will be widely read, and that this 'revisiting' 20 years on will encourage a whole new generation to engage with its questions.

Thank you to Ethos Books for giving me a pre-publication copy to review.

[Khin (storyatelier_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Cherian George presents us with a model with which to study the socio-political development of Singapore. In his opening essay, he writes “think of Singapore instead as the Air-Conditioned Nation—a society with a unique blend of comfort and central control, where people have mastered their environment, but at the cost of individual autonomy, and at the risk of unsustainability.” Rejecting the spectrum between authoritarianism and democracy, Singapore’s political model is one that allows the nation to remain largely functional in an increasingly capitalist and pragmatic world, maintaining a comfortable stasis that may be becoming irrelevant.

In the 2015 elections, I’ll admit I didn’t care for the political scene because 1) we all knew the incumbent party would be staying in power and 2) as a non-citizen, I couldn’t vote anyway. Maybe having friends around me sharing their opinions on policies and political discourse helped me feel more involved when the 2020 elections approached, regardless of whether or not I could cast my vote. The point was that conversation was ongoing, and i wanted to be a part of it. This is something that the central control of the Air-Conditioned Nation doesn’t like too much: its power and the way it runs things being questioned.

This book isn’t a collection of essays criticising the way things are; not completely. George acknowledges where the incumbent party has done well in the past, where it continues to do well, but also points out (without being scathing) where it could improve, when it goes overboard, where it is getting outdated and needs to revise its model, because the air-conditioning system is not for everyone, and central control has become a bubble in itself that sees any outside voice with an alternative viewpoint as a sign of dissent. Especially in recent years, I’ve seen the younger people push back; people on social media are calling out things like smear campaigns against a strong candidate on the opposition’s team, the new law barring singles from buying HDB flats even after hitting 35 years of age (contrary to the government stating it would be “supportive” of its queer citizens lmao), sweeping discussions about race under the rug because it could “upset” our “racial harmony”, the list goes on. It’s amazing how relevant even some of his older essays (the first edition of this book was published in 2000) are still chillingly relevant today, how we are seeing history probably repeat itself. I guess my conclusion is: if you’re living in Singapore or a Singapore citizen, you HAVE to read this. Cherian George might be an academic, but his essay collection is largely accessible.

[sha · Rating 5 out of 5]

we don’t talk about politics enough in singapore. not in the way that it needs to be talked about: without it warranting the question of whether you’re an ungrateful citizen, the fear of judgement or fear of state retribution (this is specifically covered in one of the essays).

this book informed me (hard), checked my biases and confirmed suspicions, and will definitely open up more discussions that we ought to always have now, and in the future. resist the compulsion to be apathetic.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shook

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Singapore's tragedy is not the total absence of idealism, but that it systematically rewards the individualistic majority & discourages the socially conscious minority."

This book collects 20 years worth of writing on politics in Singapore, stretching back to when I was still a toddler until now, as an adult! Sadly, a lot of what he talks about 20 years ago remain relevant, & in fact, I think it's good for younger ones to read this to get a sense of the political landscape 20 years ago & the policies taken by the government such as the Newspaper & Printing Presses Act in 1974 that gave the govt power to name newspaper companies' director and a say in appointing editors & setting the editorial direction of every newspaper.

I didn't know also that a handful of government people have actually joined the opposition! Tan Jee Say for example was the former principal private secretary to Goh Chok Tong. Devan Nair was the most obvious dissenter having been a president who later wrote damning critiques about LKY trying to establish one-man rule.

This is an illuminating read because Cherian George explained all of these events from the past 20 years sharply, & in typical journalist fashion, very accessibly. As a book, I recommend this to people who love the PAP or who wants an accessible read to politics in Singapore.

Some choice quotes:

On POFMA only being able to be triggered by ministers: "the lies of rulers are generally more harmful to society than the lies of the ruled. So it's reasonable to expect any law against falsehoods to apply to all sides"

On how the Govt talks abt racial relations: "The overriding ideological message is not 'we're diverse, let's celebrate'; it's 'we're diverse, so beware'"

On using "Asian Values" as ideological protectionism: "The habit of framing issues in terms of Asian and Western values did distort Singapore's view of its own challenges"

On our authoritarianism: "The government still uses authoritarian methods, but to a degree that most Singaporeans seem happy to live with."

On the limits of internal reforms: "But the problem with putting faith in internal reforms is that we may end up compromising our dreams, settling for token change instead of holding out for meaningful transformation"

I don't know if it's because I was born into a time when the PAP is even more entrenched in its power but I found myself disagreeing at times with this belief Cherian George has that the PAP's terrible behaviour were "mishandlings" or "misgivings". For me, their pattern of behaviour till today, & even now, shows a dedication to arrogance & treating citizens as incapable of deciding for ourselves what we want. It shows a dedication to controlling the narrative, to bludgeoning activists & critics with the full weight of the state apparatus, lack of accountability for their past errors & human rights violations, & infuriating disregard for welfare under an outdated concept of meritocracy.

[Ying Xuan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first picked up this book during the General Elections earlier this year - where I picked essays to better understand the past events which formed our electoral landscape today. The rest of the book took me a few months of nibbling, digesting and internalising. And I'm sure it would be a book that I will want to be sitting on my shelf, and to revisit occasionally.

I appreciated Cherian George's analogies, which are mostly relatable and unforgettable. (be it the air-con, semiconductor cleanroom, merlion, soccer). I am also quite certain that he is a Marvel fan! I also enjoyed his candour and snarky remarks - which were pretty much on point.

I particularly enjoyed his essays on National Identity, especially Ch 27: Neglected Nationhood & Ch 28: the marooned merlion.

Some excerpts:

"..PAP adopts an interventionist approach to ethnicity, where Singapore's traditional Asian cultures are subject to regulation and remaking, rather than allowed their natural expression and evolution."
"... (by applying) stark categories that cariature people's ethnic heritage, and equat(ing) ethnicity with both and language, (we) fail to reflect the cultural diversity and richness on the ground"

"this race=culture=language approach appears to be a step backwards, both for dealing with change and cosmopolitanism as well as for inter-ethnic relations and individual identity."

The points George raised on civil society and political engagement also stood out to me. My favourites include: Ch 18:revising the people sector and Ch36: voice of conscience

Some excerpts

"... democratic life is something that is learnt by doing. Only through active participation can people learn about the diverse interests that inhabit their society, and about the need for negotiation and compromise among them"

"circular reasoning that traps SG civil society: activists are denied freedom to bring the public over to their POV, and are then disparaged for not being representative"

"when the govt treats electoral politics as the only authorised space for debating highly contentious issues, the effect is to delegitimise civil society as a venue for deep political participation"

"In an air-conditioned nation, it is certainly more tempting to just sit back and enjoy the comforts of life. But others have this overriding impulse to get involved in things larger than themselves. ... They are not oblivious to the controls, but are willing to sacrifice their own comfort for what they believe. "

[Lester Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a 2017 New Yorker article Why Facts Don't Change Our Minds, authors Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach shared: "As a rule, strong feelings about issues do not emerge from deep understanding."

It is relevant because we, at some points in our lives, would've encountered that vocal cabby who tore the leading government into pieces with his words; or that father-in-law who swore at a political party while throwing up his fist to show where his heart lies. Their behaviour was said to be justified—backed with all kinds of "conspiracy theories", hearsays, one-off struggles, and whatnot relating to the country’s politics.

You'd surely think: are they for real? Is this confirmation biases?

Cherian George and his latest book proves whatever people like them says are, more often than not, true. Although strong feelings are present, they have a deep (and clear) understanding of politics. The unfortunate thing is, the majority of us do too. However, the bigger majority are—as what George highlighted—afraid to admit it.

Such passiveness could be attributed to how well the country's been running for 50-plus years. (Let's give credit where credit is due.) Inevitably, some get blinded; others give trust. So then we ignore The Model's flaw, accept whatever’s given, and allow ourselves to be dictated any way they see fit. We keep quiet. We move on. From The Model, to electoral processes, to national identity, to media, George has presented a slew of examples that reiterate it’s high-time we push hard for change.

From this book, you could tell George’s stressing that the country as a whole hasn't changed much. Even if she did, it's almost insignificant. I’d think this is why he decided to revisit Air-Conditioned Nation (2000). The points he made back then are still very much relevant twenty years later. And this is telling. This is probably why George also ended the book with 'Singapore, Incomplete'. Because, one way or another, she still is today.

[Aquila M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics isn’t really my cup of tea. However, when I got hold of Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give Singapore politics a read (for once😂). I’m glad I did.

Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited is an anthology of essays on Singapore politics written by Cherian George, a journalist-turned-academic who has written on Singapore politics for 30 years.

Cherian George shows his astute observations about Singapore politics through his thought-provoking essays laden with fresh political perspectives. While reading his essays, I learnt a lot about the history and development of politics in Singapore, stuff I didn’t really get to learn about during History and Social Studies lessons in school.

Besides being mentally-stimulating, his essays don’t shy away from strong and sensitive political ideas that are highly contentious. His essays inarguably provide renewed imagination for the monotonous political scene in Singapore and impel readers to think more analytically.

I particularly like the metaphor that Singapore is an Air-Conditioned Nation—“a society with a unique blend of comfort and central control, where people have mastered their environment, but at the cost of individual autonomy, and at the risk of unsustainability”.

Cherian George writes about an uninteresting topic (at least to me) in interesting ways, which I greatly appreciate. An insightful and provocative read that I recommend to anyone, regardless of whether you’re into politics or not.

[ember x · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an educational tool for me. Certain sentiments captured by Cherian George about things that happened in Singapore closely mirrored that of my family's, and for that, I have a higher regard of what this book has to say. It could be argued that I have confirmation bias, but frankly I was surprised that my parents' offhand comments were not standalone, but likely felt by many Singaporeans too. To me, that gave veracity to Cherian George's words about public sentiments.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was clear-eyed, intelligent and balanced, rendering Cherian’s ‘cancellation’ by the government even more baffling and terrifying. A huge loss for the NTU journalism school.

[Zhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better book to read as GE2020 rounds the corner other than Cherian George’s anthology of essays on politics in Singapore? This was my first foray into Cherian George’s writing - and, if I must admit, into any writing about politics in Singapore, period. Cherian George’s writing is compulsively readable, engaging, and easy to follow. While the perspectives he offers may not be entirely “fresh” or “exciting” for readers who have been “up-to-date” (so to speak) on the state of Singapore’s politics, what he does offer is depth of insight, shaped by his clearly extensive understanding of Singapore’s politics. I truly appreciated his keen analyses of the PAP, the Opposition Parties, the Singapore citizenry, and the role of the media.

Favourite chapters: Everything from the first three sections (‘The Singapore Model’, ‘Palace Intrigues’, and ‘Electoral Politics’) and the chapters under ‘National Identity’. ‘Clearing the fog of fear’ was also a thought-provoking read, especially reflecting on my career and what I might do/ NOT do when faced with certain difficult decisions.
(I will also add that I did feel more connected to the essays that were written more recently at times, but honestly date was not a matter - many things that Cherian George wrote in 2000 still persist/ exist in some form of other even today.)

If anything, I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who’d like an easily digestible, occasionally snarky, but most importantly, insightful glimpse into politics in Singapore that still remains uncynical (and in fact, hopeful) despite everything. A five-star read, truly.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t finish the last section but wanted to review this as it’s fresh in my mind, and finish it when I’m back in Singapore next year.

The book started out strong for the first 50%. The metaphor of the air condition for the politics of comfort and control in Singapore, the ingenuity of Lee Kwan Yew and the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, and the analysis of the 4th Gen of PAP leaders was incisively written and a nice peek under the curtains.

However the latter chapters were unremarkable and forgettable for me. The POFMA analysis was very obvious, and his 2017 essays on the weakness of Singapore society didn’t age well — I felt like the 2020 elections and the rise of online newsletters like We the Citizens and Rice Media all go against his observations that the media has failed to live up to its expectations. And the topic of race... on one hand we see how the government‘s handling of Preetipls and Raeesah Khan falls exactly into his observations that we still can’t talk about race in Singapore without the government overreacting about how it threatens our hard earned “racial harmony”, I just think other hurdles to integration and identity exist; in this age, it’s about socio economic disparity. In this case I felt that This is what Inequality in Singapore looks like and Navigating Differences did a better job of covering it.

Basically I don’t think Air Conditioned Nation revisited did much for me. His ‘97/2000 essays were much stronger.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited is an anthology of 37 essays written by Cherian George over the past 20 years. Flitting between 2000 and 2017, we see how the political landscape and people of Singapore have changed over time, with George succinctly covering each issue with grace and expertise.

While a lot of his essays are littered with his own subjective opinions, he introduces the elements to the issues and various viewpoints to the reader as well, allowing us to formulate our own grasp of the topic of discussion (something I really appreciated). Additionally, reading this has also led me to discover sides of Singapore politics and history I'd never been exposed to back in school, which resulted in lots of googling in between chapters!

It's an extremely educational, yet easy-going read that encourages Singaporeans to think more deeply about Singapore as a whole, and I'd highly recommend everyone (especially political noobs like me) to take their time and read through this slowly.

Also some chapters that I really liked for my own future reference:
1. Chapter 19: The PAP I can get behind
2. Chapter 20: Future-proofing the PAP
3. Chapter 30: Justice and equality
4. Chapter 36: Voices of conscience

[Magdalene Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Air-conditioning strikes a cord as most of us are working from home, away from our air-conditioned offices, this Circuit Breaker/Lockdown period. Is it enjoyable to work without the air-conditioning? Probably not. Some claim to not be able to work if they don't have air-con. But can we live without it? Probably but it's not ideal.

I am surprised that this book got published and republished, but am glad that it did. It opened my eyes and would give anyone (especially the politically apathetic) the background to our history from a slightly different light. CG writes really well and I loved the analogy of the air-conditioned nation - something I relate to more than nanny state.

Enjoyed the read though it got progressively heavier. It was definitely more meaningful reading this than the other chicklit I've been devouring. However, as with most non-fiction books, the question is, what will I take away from it? What will I do with the information that I've read? I'm curious about you who has read the book too. :)

[Andre Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an expat living in Singapore and a profound admirer of this nation, I found this book intriguing as it provided a different perspective on sensitive issues like racial discrimination, human rights, and individual freedoms.

The author, a native Singaporean, depicts the nation as one that has achieved prosperity through stringent political control and a technocratic approach. He argues that Singapore’s democracy is still evolving, having not yet achieved the level of freedoms characteristic of more established democracies. He proposes a series of reforms he believes are necessary for Singapore to mature democratically.

This makes me wonder: If Singapore were to implement these reforms, could it maintain its success and continue to be a harmonious, multicultural society?

Only history will tell.

[liminalcurrents · Rating 4 out of 5]

With sharp critiques and a plethora of probing anecdotes - air conditioned nation revisited allows us to revisit our conceptions of what Singapore is and what it ought to be. A great introduction to Singaporean politics and an incisive way to measure our progress as a country. The essays from 2000 for better or worse still provide an insightful questioning of whether the truths we hold to be self-evident are indeed self-evident.

[Bernice · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing read! it got me thinking on many things that i've never really think about before - why we behave the way we behave as Singaporeans. the system, the media, the nation. and many of the incidents happened when i was growing up and not bothered about politics etc. we're a truly air-conditioned nation.

[Stan Georgiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5

1st book for Invisible cities project
Country: Singapore

[Kathleen Bu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quotes that stayed with me:

1. “True to form, when the Wall Street Journal asked several 20th-century luminaries to pick the most influential invention of the millennium, Lee named the air-conditioner. "The humble air-conditioner has changed the lives of people in the tropical regions," he said. "Before air-con, mental concentration and with it the quality of work deteriorated as the day got hotter and more humid.... Historically, advanced civilisations have flourished in the cooler climates. Now, lifestyles have become comparable to those in temperate zones and civilisation in the tropical zones need no longer lag behind." His own sensitivity to the weather is legendary. It has even provoked scholarly interest. Historian Michael Barr has interpreted Lee's discomfort with Singapore's heat and humidity as connected to his self-image as a stranded migrant, a descendant of superior stock from the temperate climes of northern China…Perhaps the Singapore story would have indeed turned out differently if Lee had no air-con.”

2. “Only those who have forgotten the pangs of hunger will think of consoling the hungry by telling them that they should be free before they can eat.”

3. “Detention without trial has not been used against peaceful political adversaries since the 1980s. The last time a newspaper was closed down by yanking its licence was in the 1970s. The government has successfully transitioned to behind-the-scenes controls.”

4. “The PAP has a culture of solidarity that will not be easily eroded.”

5. “Whatever the title, for the next 20 years, the simple political reality was that LKY was still around. At The Straits Times, word came from way above my pay grade that we were not to say he stepped down. He stepped aside.”

6. “Perhaps his autocratic tendency was tempered by his hyper-rational, unsentimental view of life.”

7. “Maybe we should have even seen it coming: that the only establishment members who would have the guts to stand up to a Lee would be other Lees.”

8. “Low Thia Khiang's success in the 2011 general election has sealed his place in Singapore's political history alongside these icons. This is not only because Aljunied is the first group representation constituency (GRC) to fall. As striking is the audacious manner in which the Workers' Party (WP) went to battle. Previous opposition victories had an under-the-radar quality, taking observers by surprise. Low, however, did not sneak into the weakest PAP seats he could find, nor engage in cat-and-mouse games. The battle for Aljunied was a full-frontal assault.”

9. “It's as if, like diligent children in paternalistic Singapore, Low's WP had studied all the questions in the PAP's exacting 10 Year Series and come back with an answer for everything.”

10. “His trademark "Does the Minister aware...?”

11. “But Low Thia Khiang's coup may have another kind of impact. By gathering a slate of credible, credentialed candidates under a trusted banner and toppling a heavyweight government team in a GRC, Low has hammered home once and for all that the PAP cannot count on qualifications, party reputation or safety in numbers to win elections. Above all, it cannot take voters for granted. So what's left as a winning strategy? Only dedicated service and the humility to treat all citizens as equals. After Aljunied, elections will have to be fought on these basics. This is the great favour that Low Thia Khiang has done for the citizens of Singapore. The irony, of course, is that it's also a favour to the ruling party— forcing it to reform and come back far stronger in 2015. Opposition politicians wanted to teach the government a lesson in 2011. Now, they'll have to face the daunting possibility that the government actually learns it.”

12. “THERE WAS SOMETHING quite poetic about holding the 2015 general election during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. In traditional Taoist belief, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a time to appease wandering souls. You are supposed to make offerings and stage performances so that the satiated spirits will return to the netherworld. This bears an uncanny resemblance to how the People's Action Party (PAP) views elections. It's a time when the unpredictable masses pour out from their homes, instigated by mischief-making opposition politicians. This is not what the serious business of government is supposed to be all about, but the PAP has to play along with the wayang for a couple of weeks, making promises and selling sound bites. Perform these rituals, and the malcontents will skulk away for another five years.”

13. “One type of irrational outcome that the PAP warns of is the so-called "freak" election result. The term is prone to misuse, so it's worth clarifying what it is and what it isn't. If the outcome differs from the preferences of the losing party and its supporters, that's not a freak election. That's just an election. Nor is it necessarily freakish if the result isn't what pundits and pollsters predicted. They are known to get it wrong. Conversely, if the outcome can be guaranteed by any one party and there's absolutely no risk of surprises, that's not a non-freak election—it's probably fixed. It isn't even a freak election if people vote against what all experts concur is in the publics enlightened self-interest. It is precisely because we have no mechanism to second-guess the electorate, and because no group of wise men should pick rulers on behalf of everyone else, that we need to go through the cumbersome process of one-person-one-vote elections in the first place…For example, let's say you want the PAP in charge but also want a larger opposition. If you believe that the national tide is strongly in the PAP's favour and you live in one of the few hot seats, you would probably feel that voting for the opposition in your constituency would help achieve your goal of a PAP government plus a more robust opposition. On the other hand, if you believe the opposition is already going to do very well nationally, you might vote for the PAP in your ward because it's offering you the better candidate. In either case, if you and others like you assess the mood wrongly, you might end up using your vote in a way that goes against your own wishes. You all overestimate the PAP's strength, vote opposition, and contribute to ousting the PAP—to your horror. That's a freak election.”

14. “From a PAP perspective, voters may look irrational when they pick parties and candidates that are plainly inferior. Too many voters are focussing on what, in its view, are the wrong questions. They are asking, "Do we have enough opposition?" Or, "Should we send a signal to the government that were not happy?" The ruling party believes people should only ask, "Who is fit to govern?" But one of the hard truths about democratic elections is that it's not just the answers that are in the hands of voters—it's also the
questions. Candidates can try to influence voters' priorities, but cannot dictate them. Besides, there is nothing outlandish about registering a protest vote or voting opposition for opposition's sake. These are rational responses to a one-sided political system with an overwhelmingly dominant party.”

15. “The government seems to believe in many helping hands, but not necessarily many helping heads.”

16. “The questionnaire designers also ignored the fact that it is often difficult to untangle the roots of social strife, and that the very act of labelling a riot as caused by either "race" or "class" or "politics" primes peoples' reactions to the incident. For example, if unemployed youth of one race attack and loot businesses owned by merchants of another race, is that racial violence or class warfare? Describing it as a race riot makes it more likely that others in the society will act racially.”

17. “Today, Singapore's value system is fed as much by British institutions and American corporations as by Asian sensibilities. The clichéd picture of this mix is that of the century-old Chinese temples flanking the skyscrapers of the central business district. But the blend is also apparent in deeper, more subtle, ways.
Every time a Singaporean is pushed by his family to do well in school, and feels a sense of obligation to do so, he is benefitting from the family values and the hunger for education that characterises Asian diaspora communities; but when he expects to attain the good life on his own merits, rather than through his connections, he is counting on Western-style meritocracy and social mobility. The blend of East and West is therefore found not only in the juxtaposition of architectural styles on the urban landscape, or the mix of menus in the Orchard Road food court, but in the very instincts of each Singaporean.”

18. “The government, in trying to achieve the best for Singapore, has always believed in assuming the worst.”

19. “Thus, PAP rule continued to encourage the steady depoliticisation of a public that had been politically active and aggressive in the 1960s…Depoliticisation was initially intended to suppress the communists, she noted, but had also resulted in the "control and limitation of all political activity other than the ruling party's.”

20. “Singapores political sterility is probably the main reason for the PAP's chronic inability to attract enough able Singaporeans for parliament and government. In most countries, politicians arise naturally from the ground up, usually involving themselves first in student politics and then in various political organisations. Such involvement enables individuals to strengthen leadership qualities, to grow accustomed to public life, and develop an interest in public affairs. The PAP has stifled these opportunities for lower-level political growth. It is little wonder that the successful Singaporeans who would make able leaders are reluctant politicians, and that the government has had to throw more and more money at the problem of political recruitment.”

21. “The problem is the Singaporean's weak rights and protections against the coercive powers of a domineering state armed with catch-all laws. When the government feels it must go beyond a "meek and mild" response, just how far will it go? Would critics lose only face, or also their livelihoods, and even their personal liberty? Such fears can usually be dismissed as mere paranoia. But not always-and there's the rub.”

22. “It's a rule of historiography that victors get to dictate mainstream accounts of the past. So it is not surprising that the authorised narrative anoints Lee Kuan Yew and his comrades as the noble heroes of Singapore nationalism, contending with beastly colonialists, communists and communalists, to shepherd the nation to a bright future.”

23. “Today, First World Singapore is a middle-aged republic with a mature economy but a political system that treats us like children: too many decisions are made for us that should be ours to make; we are told what's good for us and we are ticked off if we answer back. Older generations have lacked either the desire or the strength to resist. A new generation of Singaporeans will have to decide for themselves if they are ready to grow up.”

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

My American friend passed this book to me when he was done with it for the summer. He said it was a good book and he upheld the tradition of passing a book he liked to a friend he "care(d) about" -- this time to me. I've always been indifferent to Singapore's politics (basically exemplifying George's observation of how my generation is depoliticized) and was sort-of ashamed that a foreigner would know better than me, so I was eager to start.
I love the book! I thought it provided a good historical context to understand modern day phenomena, something salient considering the General Elections were held this year. George, being a journalist, had access to viewpoints the layman wouldn't have, and I appreciated this birds-eye view of Singapore. I wonder what he thinks of politics today.

[Caleb Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays and writings from a well known Straits Times journalist are definitely timely and relevant for all Singaporeans. The choice of the air-conditioner as a metaphor for Singaporean life was definitely inspired (Lee Kuan Yew our great patriach considered it the most important invention of the 20th Century) apart from the fact that George does try to stretch the illustration a bit too far at times. Still, an interesting read for all who are concerned about Singapore politics and society (which, going by common wisdom is very few people indeed).

[Faith Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cemented my liking for Cherian George and his incisive, erudite takes on our lovely island home. Tbh I've only read one other SG book to date (the Inequality one by Teo You Yenn), and this is much better written. Even though some of the essays are 20 years old, their commentary remains as relevant as ever.