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PAP vs PAP
Singapore appears to be transitioning gradually to a more competitive and contentious democracy. For now though, the People's Action Party still controls all the level of power. The PAP's internal dynamics will be the primary determinant of its continued viability. This anthology of essays expands on one dimension of this inner struggle: between a conservative attachment to what worked in the past, and a boldly progressive vision for the future.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
162 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
29 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Cherian George
17 books50 followersCherian 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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 11, 2020
Familiar complaints about the PAP:
1. It promotes economic growth through neoliberal economics at all costs
2. It is too meritocratic with the elite being stuck-up and out of touch
3. It treats migrant workers poorly
4. It taxes little and provide little social safety net
5. It has no freedom of expression and anyone wanting to publish a newspaper needs a licence
6. It keeps harping on the fact that no one owes Singapore a living, and Singapore will crash easily except for the masterful guiding hands of the PAP
7. It uses many means to silence its critics, suing them in court for libels that can bankrupt them
8. There is a general atmosphere of fear and self-censorship throughout society
9. Solution: promote liberal democracy. Promote equality (tax more and redistribute more), pay migrant workers the same as locals, and stop harassing critics.
Wow. One may think that Singaporeans are living in jail.
Yet Singapore holds elections and recently the PAP had already lost another minister in a Group Representative Constituency. And Singaporeans let their voices be heard through internet activism and the PAP does listen to us. One thing the government does not control is wages so to force employers to pay workers a certain wage is not part of its makeup. All democracies have flaws: money politics in America; hereditary House of Lords in Britain; representative parliaments in continental Europe that allows Right wing nationalist groups to get into government and where minorities find impossible to ever assimilate.
One obvious clue to Singapore’s attractiveness: people from all over the world want to come here to work, so much so that lots of people are rejected.
But the authors want Singapore to be perfect, so fair enough. An excellent book for any Singaporean.
1. It promotes economic growth through neoliberal economics at all costs
2. It is too meritocratic with the elite being stuck-up and out of touch
3. It treats migrant workers poorly
4. It taxes little and provide little social safety net
5. It has no freedom of expression and anyone wanting to publish a newspaper needs a licence
6. It keeps harping on the fact that no one owes Singapore a living, and Singapore will crash easily except for the masterful guiding hands of the PAP
7. It uses many means to silence its critics, suing them in court for libels that can bankrupt them
8. There is a general atmosphere of fear and self-censorship throughout society
9. Solution: promote liberal democracy. Promote equality (tax more and redistribute more), pay migrant workers the same as locals, and stop harassing critics.
Wow. One may think that Singaporeans are living in jail.
Yet Singapore holds elections and recently the PAP had already lost another minister in a Group Representative Constituency. And Singaporeans let their voices be heard through internet activism and the PAP does listen to us. One thing the government does not control is wages so to force employers to pay workers a certain wage is not part of its makeup. All democracies have flaws: money politics in America; hereditary House of Lords in Britain; representative parliaments in continental Europe that allows Right wing nationalist groups to get into government and where minorities find impossible to ever assimilate.
One obvious clue to Singapore’s attractiveness: people from all over the world want to come here to work, so much so that lots of people are rejected.
But the authors want Singapore to be perfect, so fair enough. An excellent book for any Singaporean.
November 6, 2020
A lot of repackaged stuff but from a fresh angle, charting a course for internal reform
December 15, 2020
4 Stars - good read, recommended if you're into Singapore politics and society.
Clear writing, counter-orthodox thinking, and an alternative point of view that isn't crazy. Cherian George and Donald Low continue to deliver the goods.
Clear writing, counter-orthodox thinking, and an alternative point of view that isn't crazy. Cherian George and Donald Low continue to deliver the goods.
December 7, 2020
An interesting look into how and whether the ruling party can reform itself however it does not necessarily cover any new insights. A repetitive read at times.
January 25, 2021
A great rundown of PAP that discusses its past and present decisions and how it's shaped Singapore, but more importantly details what it can do in its current position to guide Singapore as it navigates an increasingly volatile world.
The essays provide a balanced analysis that gives credit where its due, but also doesn't shy away from pointing out its failures and missteps. It did feel a bit repetitive at certain parts of the book (since many things are interconnected), but to be fair, they provide fresh examples and perspective that ties in with their bigger picture of the chapter when these similar points are brought up.
On the whole, a really good read on Singapore politics.
"An underlying belief in this volume is this: it is premature to abandon hope in the ruling party. For one, the PAP is likely to be the only viable governing party at the next two General Elections; this means we can expect the PAP to be in power for the next 15 years. That is simply far too long for our politics to remain unreformed, and it is in the interest of Singaporeans that the party adapts rather than atrophies."
The essays provide a balanced analysis that gives credit where its due, but also doesn't shy away from pointing out its failures and missteps. It did feel a bit repetitive at certain parts of the book (since many things are interconnected), but to be fair, they provide fresh examples and perspective that ties in with their bigger picture of the chapter when these similar points are brought up.
On the whole, a really good read on Singapore politics.
"An underlying belief in this volume is this: it is premature to abandon hope in the ruling party. For one, the PAP is likely to be the only viable governing party at the next two General Elections; this means we can expect the PAP to be in power for the next 15 years. That is simply far too long for our politics to remain unreformed, and it is in the interest of Singaporeans that the party adapts rather than atrophies."
January 28, 2021
This book is a collection of essays on Singapore politics. It has nothing to do with internal PAP party politics as the title may suggest, but is a call from two liberal academics for political change in Singapore. It will be hard for those not familiar with Singapore politics to understand the context since the essays are written as stand alone articles.
My youngest son is reading this next and given he will have much more at stake in the future of Singapore than I, his reaction to this will be far more interesting than mine. And I will probably update this post when he completes it.
My youngest son is reading this next and given he will have much more at stake in the future of Singapore than I, his reaction to this will be far more interesting than mine. And I will probably update this post when he completes it.
November 26, 2020
Two professors in Hong Kong call for a Singaporean government that is adaptive towards the current direction of the country - one that focuses more on justice and equality.
Honestly, if you've been following a lot of the discourse that came out of GE2020, you will know a lot of the what the authors want to emphasize. A lot of buzz words get thrown around, the author get into some history etc. I thought it was a pretty quick read for an academic piece of work because they use pretty assessable language. I think they could have explicitly called for more leftist change, but I think they didn't want to anger the Singapore government too much.
Hopefully one day the future of this country will suck a little less.
"Voters have been subjected to a kind of emotional blackmail: It is as if we need to prove our love for PAP leaders before they can do what's required."
Honestly, if you've been following a lot of the discourse that came out of GE2020, you will know a lot of the what the authors want to emphasize. A lot of buzz words get thrown around, the author get into some history etc. I thought it was a pretty quick read for an academic piece of work because they use pretty assessable language. I think they could have explicitly called for more leftist change, but I think they didn't want to anger the Singapore government too much.
Hopefully one day the future of this country will suck a little less.
"Voters have been subjected to a kind of emotional blackmail: It is as if we need to prove our love for PAP leaders before they can do what's required."
August 22, 2021
Started reading but got busy and ended up using an audiobook reader "Storytel" instead, which definitely made it much easier. While reading, in several parts, I don't necessarily fully agree but it helps provide one an opportunity to review (alongside the perspective raised by this book) of what has towards and at the election one year on.
The articles were stringed together to make a worthwhile argument that change can be made possible within the party in order for it to continue to be relevant.
To start off, the first few chapters of the book largely laid out the ground that the landscape has changed compared to pre-independence some more than 50 years ago. But it argues that the ruling parties still uses the same rhetoric to sell itself to its citizens. It use examples of what the ruling party did and what has happened in a build up to the election to provide the point that what has been done is less than "gentlemanly" or gracious. It also kind of points out that the ruling party (or some part of its faction) still are of the view that the people are gullible to believe past successful track record would determine the future's success, so much so they are willing to live with the "less than ideal" type of democracy that Singapore is used to having.
The next few chapters focuses on some of the underlying issues that may have given rise to the dissent the people have, and are the result of the outcome seen at GE2020. These issues includes how we treat foreign workers, diversity, wealth taxes (especially on inheritance) and inequalities. Essentially arguing the need to move beyond just an efficient nation, but one that is benevolent. The believe is that this will enable the nation to be more resilient beyond just relying on the accumulative reserves made over the years.
The last few chapters looks into redefining what "Democracy" should be to Singapore. These chapters looks at highlighting the point that our citizens are now, being more well educated, ready for a system that is more open, honest and transparent. The essays seems to suggest that the ruling party is still dismissive of the ability of people's ability to make informed choices. The chapters did still recognise the importance of a good Government and what the ruling party has done achieved, but suggested some areas that be improved without shaking the current system too much. One of the interesting topic that picked my interest is the introduction of an ombudsman, albeit raised before even within the ruling party, is a worthy introduction moving forward.
Concluding the book in its final essay, the authors took time to share their take on Lee Kuan Yew way of Governing and suggested what could be the thought process that led him to what he has done, especially around populism.
I thought it was enjoyable in many regards bringing an academic perspective that give raises one's take on what the current normative or narrative is being used as the basis of how Singapore is being Governed. Yet, it also brought about their own interpretation on actual examples to justify or reinforce their points in the respective essays. A worth read, especially for Singaporeans, to have an additional point of view to consider.
The articles were stringed together to make a worthwhile argument that change can be made possible within the party in order for it to continue to be relevant.
To start off, the first few chapters of the book largely laid out the ground that the landscape has changed compared to pre-independence some more than 50 years ago. But it argues that the ruling parties still uses the same rhetoric to sell itself to its citizens. It use examples of what the ruling party did and what has happened in a build up to the election to provide the point that what has been done is less than "gentlemanly" or gracious. It also kind of points out that the ruling party (or some part of its faction) still are of the view that the people are gullible to believe past successful track record would determine the future's success, so much so they are willing to live with the "less than ideal" type of democracy that Singapore is used to having.
The next few chapters focuses on some of the underlying issues that may have given rise to the dissent the people have, and are the result of the outcome seen at GE2020. These issues includes how we treat foreign workers, diversity, wealth taxes (especially on inheritance) and inequalities. Essentially arguing the need to move beyond just an efficient nation, but one that is benevolent. The believe is that this will enable the nation to be more resilient beyond just relying on the accumulative reserves made over the years.
The last few chapters looks into redefining what "Democracy" should be to Singapore. These chapters looks at highlighting the point that our citizens are now, being more well educated, ready for a system that is more open, honest and transparent. The essays seems to suggest that the ruling party is still dismissive of the ability of people's ability to make informed choices. The chapters did still recognise the importance of a good Government and what the ruling party has done achieved, but suggested some areas that be improved without shaking the current system too much. One of the interesting topic that picked my interest is the introduction of an ombudsman, albeit raised before even within the ruling party, is a worthy introduction moving forward.
Concluding the book in its final essay, the authors took time to share their take on Lee Kuan Yew way of Governing and suggested what could be the thought process that led him to what he has done, especially around populism.
I thought it was enjoyable in many regards bringing an academic perspective that give raises one's take on what the current normative or narrative is being used as the basis of how Singapore is being Governed. Yet, it also brought about their own interpretation on actual examples to justify or reinforce their points in the respective essays. A worth read, especially for Singaporeans, to have an additional point of view to consider.
September 19, 2025
3.5* — After coming from Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited (2020) and Hard Choices: Challenging the Singaporean Consensus (2014), it felt like a lot of their ideas were being repackaged and to fit the context for post-pandemic. Some _interesting_ takes, including:
- “The PAP is a national movement, comparable to a religion. No major religion speaks with just one voice. Each has opposing internal tendencies. It may have a fundamentalist strand, rigid and dogmatic, exclusive and unforgiving, ever ready to launch inquisitions against perceived infidels. Yet at the same time, it may have an inclusivist, open-minded denomination, respectful of differences and striving for social justice. These tendencies can co-exist, although in any one time and place, one dominates.”
- Calls for tighter immigration measures without clearly defining different types of foreign labour
Other takeaways from this book:
1. Long-term trends Singapore face: slower globalisation (or de-globalisation), diversification of supply trends (which could undermine Singapore’s role as a major hub in global trade), and decarbonisation (as countries reduce their dependence on fossil fuels). Globalisation being overshadowed by localisation/regionalisation, with reshoring/ near-shoring and growth of FDIs tapering
2. Posits that PAP’s legitimacy should come from the ability to reform Singapore’s social compact, emphasising social equity, prioritising labour over capital, expansion of social protection, and for more aggressive redistribution
3. Effect of social spending is defined by how the programme is designed and the incentive effects they create.
4. Moral legitimacy in terms of fairness of political systems and checks and balances; trust in government being earned through procedural accountability, transparency and fair processes. Rethinking of how elite governance is shaped.
5. PAP branding of itself as a national movement tied to the history and destiny of Singapore, which calls for expectations or demands that it should be judged to a higher standard.
6. Expansion of metric for sound policy-making beyond economic efficiency. Key example on no. of beds/ 1000 people in Singapore, being at 80-90% capacity, compromising efforts in COVID-19, as evidence for compromising resilience and justice.
7. Trend of voter-led affirmative action in favour of the opposition as a “reasonable corrective for the prevailing lack of democracy. Even if Singaporeans accept that the PAP owes the Opposition nothing, they believe that the government owes citizens the assurance that democratic choices will not be unfairly limited.”
8. 3 types of communications in Singapore: privatised exchange, community conversations and public deliberation; with the last being the most heavily policed in Singapore
- Privatised Exchange: participants as individual consumers in a market, eg media
- Community Conversations: conversations among like-minded groups, making up plural society, strengthening communities’ distinctiveness
- Public Deliberation in Public v Political Sphere: Public having influence but no legal authority; Political being groups negotiating compromises within themselves
9. Singapore is among one of the countries who have not signed UN human rights treaty “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)”, article 19, 20.
10. Populism in the form of: scapegoating, tribal loyalties, majoritarian, nationalist card against critics questioning patriotism
I felt that essays from Cherian George were a lot more readable and enjoyable compared to Donald Low’s sometimes-sweeping arguments. Overall good takeaways - would rate this below Cherian George’s 2020 book but above Donald Low’s 2014 Hard Choices book!
- “The PAP is a national movement, comparable to a religion. No major religion speaks with just one voice. Each has opposing internal tendencies. It may have a fundamentalist strand, rigid and dogmatic, exclusive and unforgiving, ever ready to launch inquisitions against perceived infidels. Yet at the same time, it may have an inclusivist, open-minded denomination, respectful of differences and striving for social justice. These tendencies can co-exist, although in any one time and place, one dominates.”
- Calls for tighter immigration measures without clearly defining different types of foreign labour
Other takeaways from this book:
1. Long-term trends Singapore face: slower globalisation (or de-globalisation), diversification of supply trends (which could undermine Singapore’s role as a major hub in global trade), and decarbonisation (as countries reduce their dependence on fossil fuels). Globalisation being overshadowed by localisation/regionalisation, with reshoring/ near-shoring and growth of FDIs tapering
2. Posits that PAP’s legitimacy should come from the ability to reform Singapore’s social compact, emphasising social equity, prioritising labour over capital, expansion of social protection, and for more aggressive redistribution
3. Effect of social spending is defined by how the programme is designed and the incentive effects they create.
4. Moral legitimacy in terms of fairness of political systems and checks and balances; trust in government being earned through procedural accountability, transparency and fair processes. Rethinking of how elite governance is shaped.
5. PAP branding of itself as a national movement tied to the history and destiny of Singapore, which calls for expectations or demands that it should be judged to a higher standard.
6. Expansion of metric for sound policy-making beyond economic efficiency. Key example on no. of beds/ 1000 people in Singapore, being at 80-90% capacity, compromising efforts in COVID-19, as evidence for compromising resilience and justice.
7. Trend of voter-led affirmative action in favour of the opposition as a “reasonable corrective for the prevailing lack of democracy. Even if Singaporeans accept that the PAP owes the Opposition nothing, they believe that the government owes citizens the assurance that democratic choices will not be unfairly limited.”
8. 3 types of communications in Singapore: privatised exchange, community conversations and public deliberation; with the last being the most heavily policed in Singapore
- Privatised Exchange: participants as individual consumers in a market, eg media
- Community Conversations: conversations among like-minded groups, making up plural society, strengthening communities’ distinctiveness
- Public Deliberation in Public v Political Sphere: Public having influence but no legal authority; Political being groups negotiating compromises within themselves
9. Singapore is among one of the countries who have not signed UN human rights treaty “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)”, article 19, 20.
10. Populism in the form of: scapegoating, tribal loyalties, majoritarian, nationalist card against critics questioning patriotism
I felt that essays from Cherian George were a lot more readable and enjoyable compared to Donald Low’s sometimes-sweeping arguments. Overall good takeaways - would rate this below Cherian George’s 2020 book but above Donald Low’s 2014 Hard Choices book!
February 28, 2021
Look, I get it. Singaporeans are mostly apolitical or apathetic. We rest on the laurels of the government who decides the "important" economic stuff and we put in the rest of whatever acquiescence that is required to float to middle class and above. But and a huge butt is to not underestimate how visceral a punch this book will land on your conscience and consciousness.
This book as a collection of articles hits you right in the gut. Wooh! Inequality, fairer distribution of equity, justice, freedom of speech, participatory opinions, speaking justice to power...the bleeding list goes on. Middle class or no, this speaks to all the potentials that is suppressed and coerced by government narratives. Stories and myths that are bleak and manipulative. How we become cogs in a machine that derives economic fortune(for those so lucky) and then perpetuates legitimacy for a government whom in power favours those exactly of the same heuristic tendencies. The point of all these articles is possibly not to convert those who are insistently bent towards those politics which are the status quo but its a rallying cry for the comfortably uninitiated. We are our best bet to assimilate the potential possibilities of democratic participation that doesn't eschew sitting back.
This book demands a read from all Singaporeans and I don't say this lightly, it wil probably make you highly uncomfortable, sigh in recognition and most of all, swear at the complacency some of most are guilty of. Be you, liberal, conservative, illiberal(waaat?) you will be gasping for breathe.
Not for the faint hearted but evolution is not for the non finessed.
This book as a collection of articles hits you right in the gut. Wooh! Inequality, fairer distribution of equity, justice, freedom of speech, participatory opinions, speaking justice to power...the bleeding list goes on. Middle class or no, this speaks to all the potentials that is suppressed and coerced by government narratives. Stories and myths that are bleak and manipulative. How we become cogs in a machine that derives economic fortune(for those so lucky) and then perpetuates legitimacy for a government whom in power favours those exactly of the same heuristic tendencies. The point of all these articles is possibly not to convert those who are insistently bent towards those politics which are the status quo but its a rallying cry for the comfortably uninitiated. We are our best bet to assimilate the potential possibilities of democratic participation that doesn't eschew sitting back.
This book demands a read from all Singaporeans and I don't say this lightly, it wil probably make you highly uncomfortable, sigh in recognition and most of all, swear at the complacency some of most are guilty of. Be you, liberal, conservative, illiberal(waaat?) you will be gasping for breathe.
Not for the faint hearted but evolution is not for the non finessed.
April 14, 2025
This book provides a succinct and well-balanced take on the political scene in Singapore. It provides just enough context and history to cover political events: double-standards in viewing candidates from the opposition-incumbent, media laws, understanding 2011 and 2020 elections, political strategy of PAP. Good knowledge to pick up on prior to the upcoming elections.
I found the language was a little light for a book that calls for the incumbents to adopt innovations in their political strategy. Almost too little emotion and imagery about the consequences of the lack of innovation. That was a missing piece and huge flaw for the book.
Certainly, I buy into their core argument about the need AND desire of the population for a shifting social contract. But something that they might have touched upon less about is the demographics of our leaders (both elected political leaders and technocrats in the civil service). Can they relate to a new audience that live in a much more dynamic and different world from the one that they grew up in - What are the demographics of our leaders? Unlike the past 1990s, 2000s, the rate of change has exponentially increased.
I found the language was a little light for a book that calls for the incumbents to adopt innovations in their political strategy. Almost too little emotion and imagery about the consequences of the lack of innovation. That was a missing piece and huge flaw for the book.
Certainly, I buy into their core argument about the need AND desire of the population for a shifting social contract. But something that they might have touched upon less about is the demographics of our leaders (both elected political leaders and technocrats in the civil service). Can they relate to a new audience that live in a much more dynamic and different world from the one that they grew up in - What are the demographics of our leaders? Unlike the past 1990s, 2000s, the rate of change has exponentially increased.
May 24, 2021
I found it important to read this book, not so much because I find myself aligned to the theses within, but because I found it important to contrast the common understanding within my circles with those from with-out. Donald Low and Cherian George definitely raise some interesting arguments, most not too new but still made relevant with recent episodes in Singapore’s journey.
Read more here: https://magicinthespacebetween.wordpr...
Read more here: https://magicinthespacebetween.wordpr...
March 17, 2021
Some interesting ideas. It is not clear to me that some of their more liberal ideas are as widely accepted or considered 'right' as the authors might think. Because it is a compilation, there is quite a bit of repetition of ideas across the different essays.
March 11, 2022
Cherian's essays are always pleasantly readable, but the authors might have been able to argue with more credibility that the PAP has ossified and run out of ideas if they themselves were able to provide a fresh perspective rather than just rehashing their old ideas.
November 27, 2020
More like a 3.5 rather than 4 stars but still it’s always good to read what Cherian George has to say about the PAP.
March 15, 2021
Later half of the book was quite repetitive, but the first half is worth a re-read before the next election.
October 9, 2025
A comprehensive critique; but I was actually looking for more on the party’s internal dynamics. I suppose I should have been wiser to expect such content being printed.
April 9, 2021
I enjoyed Hard Choices, Air-Conditioned Nation, Singapore, Incomplete and Air-Conditioned Nation Revisited. But I found myself getting irritated reading PAP vs PAP. I follow Cherian and Low's writing and many of the pieces in the collection had appeared on Academia.sg. That in and of itself isn't a problem - pulling the material together in one collection is helpful. But rehashing material from Hard Choices (2014), Singapore, Incomplete (2017), Air Conditioned Nation Revisited (2020)? It felt a little like the authors had run out of things to say and resorted to repackaging old material in this new collection. Air Conditioned Nation Revisited was at least honest in positioning itself as a 20th anniversary edition with a couple of new essays added (which, disturbingly enough, felt very current).
The title suggests that the book will centre on the "contest between the two faces of the PAP - between its authoritarian tendencies and its adaptive capacity....explor[ing] this tension in the PAP and its various manifestations in politics and policy". This would have been a fascinating book to read. Alas, PAP vs PAP is largely a rehashing of the authors' critiques of the PAP's policy approaches, from foreign workers and labour productivity, to media regulation and social safety nets, etc. These are worth reading from a policy perspective. But they are not about the contest between the two faces of the PAP.
This book will appeal to Cherian and Low's existing fan base. But it is unlikely to persuade those outside their camp; there is very little that is new in this book by way of perspectives and arguments.
The title suggests that the book will centre on the "contest between the two faces of the PAP - between its authoritarian tendencies and its adaptive capacity....explor[ing] this tension in the PAP and its various manifestations in politics and policy". This would have been a fascinating book to read. Alas, PAP vs PAP is largely a rehashing of the authors' critiques of the PAP's policy approaches, from foreign workers and labour productivity, to media regulation and social safety nets, etc. These are worth reading from a policy perspective. But they are not about the contest between the two faces of the PAP.
This book will appeal to Cherian and Low's existing fan base. But it is unlikely to persuade those outside their camp; there is very little that is new in this book by way of perspectives and arguments.
October 28, 2022
[edit]
It seems to me that many reviewers might have rated this lower than they might have because they disagree with the opinions held therein. I cannot say I am not affected by this subconscious (or for some, very conscious) bias. If this book is meant to be an imperative one, or a persuasive one, than I do not think it has done a very good job. I rate it quite highly regardless, because even if it does not convince me, the book is well written, researched, and flows very well despite being essentially a mish mash of essays.
The Gist: It tries to gleam certain truths from current events, and tries to show the ability for the PAP to reform.
Why I Think It Is Good: It's well written, well researched, and the tone it takes is one that confronts many presumed readers. It forces you to consider certain viewpoints readers otherwise would not have taken. A g0od examination of the past of the PAP.
Flaws: Somewhat academic language, but not too bad for the average reader. Liberilism Disavowed is a worse example of this. The central premise and argumens the author proposes is hard for me to purchase, because of the various caveats that the author even inputs. Also, due to trying to discuss the future, it lacks neither satisfying confidence in its conclusions, and builds onto the vague and hard to swallow proposition in the sentence prior.
June 11, 2021
While I applaud the authors' painstaking efforts to research compile their past essays and expand upon them, to put across a holistic argument for internal reform of Singapore's ruling party as well as rethinking its many policies, I am ultimately a pessimist.
The entire premise of convincing the ruling party (and the reader) is based on the fundamental stark assumption that this choice is one driven by exercising reason in pursuit of moral legitimacy to power. However, as trends have shown, it seems less and less likely to be the course of progression for things, since it can still maintain its reins through other less scrupulous means.
Nevertheless as citizens, we must continue to hope, since we still call this place home.
The entire premise of convincing the ruling party (and the reader) is based on the fundamental stark assumption that this choice is one driven by exercising reason in pursuit of moral legitimacy to power. However, as trends have shown, it seems less and less likely to be the course of progression for things, since it can still maintain its reins through other less scrupulous means.
Nevertheless as citizens, we must continue to hope, since we still call this place home.
July 1, 2022
This book written by two great thinkers and writers had high expectations given the stature both have commanded in Singapore. Yet ... it never reached the insights or the conciseness of Cherian's Air-conditioned nation or Donald's Hard Choices. Still a useful book to read given how few books critical of the current PAP government is published but it could have given greater insights.
December 5, 2020
Better at explaining why the Party must reform itself than at evaluating whether it can succeed. Then again, this is not meant to be a tell-all so much as a compelling reading of open-source tea leaves. Enjoyed this:)
January 1, 2021
1. Justice, equality, resilience.
2. Diversity
3. Freedom of speech
2. Diversity
3. Freedom of speech
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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