新加坡模式：城邦國家建構簡史

Elements in Politics and Society in Southeast Asia

by Kenneth Paul Tan, 鄺健銘 (Translator)

　　· 在後李光耀時代，新加坡是風華正茂，還是風華不再？
　　· 作為｢全球城市｣與｢國族國家｣，新加坡的雙重身份如何令｢新加坡模式｣漸現疲態？
　　· 新加坡社會能否壯大，為何是新加坡的未來國家發展重要議題？

　　｢我們並非在安逸環境裡下棋。我們耗時議事之際，週邊世界都在變動。我們其實是在參與足球賽，只要我們靜止不動，世界其他對手便會將我們撃敗……｣

　　在《新加坡模式―城邦國家建構簡史》之中，新加坡李光耀公共政策學院前副院長陳思賢(Kenneth Paul Tan)認為，論述是建國重要根基。新加坡一黨獨大的威權管治所以能夠延續至今，主要原因是官方積極宣揚其國家發展論述，並希望藉此取信於民﹑維持政府威信。這套官方論述強調，國家生存基礎薄弱，與此同時人民行動黨政府秉持實用主義哲學，重視用人唯賢﹑廉潔與誠信，並以長遠目光發展國家經濟。國家若非由人民行動黨政府以威權方式治國，新加坡便會陷入分裂，難有今天亮麗成就。

　　不過，官方這套國家發展論述已因新加坡擁有雙重身份而愈加受質疑。新加坡既是國族國家(nation-state)，也是全球城市(global city)。國家扮演雙重角色，令新加坡多種族、多宗教、多語言社會的矛盾與日俱增。新加坡作為全球城市，需要積極迎合新自由主義式(neo-liberalism)全球化發展。但從新加坡普羅大眾角度看，在｢市場至上｣管治方針下，新加坡社會的貧富差距問題日益加劇，政府管治表現並非毫無瑕疵，｢新加坡模式｣逐漸失去光環，官方所宣揚的國家發展論述說服力漸失，官民關係更形疏離，民怨在累積。

　　面對瞬息萬變的全球局勢，於內憂外患之中，被全球大小國家視為發展典範的「新加坡模式」將會如何延續其榮光？

　　陳思賢將從本土民情角度書寫｢新加坡模式｣原貌，破除｢新加坡神話｣迷思，分析｢新加坡模式｣在後李光耀時代面臨的危機。《新加坡模式―城邦國家建構簡史》是立足本土﹑解構｢新加坡模式｣成敗得失的必讀入門書。

Genres: Politics

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Tan Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If the government does not become more adept at meeting these challenges and provide genuine reason for optimism, Singaporeans may turn cynical and mistrustful of the system as they observe, often through the unfiltered lens of social media, Singapore's elite government fumble in their policymaking, shy away from technically and morally courageous policies that are necessary but costly for their careers, and effect ever-greater arrogance to ward off criticism and conceal inadequacies."
pg 62

It is perhaps with a heavy heart to come across this quote during this GE2020. Jadedness has set in for many, regardless of their political ideology.

[Neil H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book summarising the current and potential malaise to afflict Singapore not just as a nation state but as a global participant. We have come a long way from backwater ex colonial territory to a spanking first world first tier GDP aligned country. What started of as imperative of meritocratic, pragmatic, propagandist simulation for the citizens has achieved its goal. What the masses could splinter into in the 21st century is a sense of disconnect, lack of response, elitism and stubbornness to change and to address issues lurking never too far from the surface. From human rights, moral discussions, economic and welfare issues. These will potentially trip the government who has seen itself as the final arbiters of what direction the country will take. Its purported long term view that even some policy makers cannot comprehend its outcome could be obstacles for non engagement or if its not broken don't fix it.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that you need to know about Singapore, from the philosophy behind the current model of governance to the reasons behind the seemingly unchanged strategy of managing diversity such as language, race and religion. This book tells it all. It’s a must read.

[Ernest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to contemporary sociocultural studies about Singapore. Kenneth Paul Tan is probably the best expert on this matter, and his adaptation of Gramscian hegemony to this local context is prescient and accessible.

[Modisi · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was (and perhaps still am) skeptical of Gramscianism, Tan's study on Singaporean ideology, culture, and the production of national "brand" offers a great overview on these topics and also offers some food of thought for the future of the island country.