Singapore's Sensible Dictatorship

[@MTWright]

Check out Arken's channel - kzbin.info/door/0jhtpmmIwPVIgdfpz5c3yw Thanks for watching! Unfortunately, had some delays with this one because of the worst cold of my life that put editing and recording on pause for a few weeks. But I'm glad it's out now! Hope you guys enjoy.

[@ArkenTheAmerikan]

Not often that I get to do a faux British accent on request. This was fun to work on. Good stuff!

[@MTWright]

@@ArkenTheAmerikan you do it well habibi, thanks again!

[@EpsteinsRope]

As an American man from North Carolina who is currently living in Indonesia, formerly Singapore and Taiwan I find your videos to be very refreshing because you take an objective stance in them. A lot of my dumbass countrymen (USA) say dumbass things about Singapore when they know absolutely nothing about it. (I wish I could say that isn't common but unfortunately it is) Singapore is a fantastic place to live and my life was exponentially better there than it ever was in the US and I'm only in my early 30s. If I'm being honest it was better in all 3 places, and for the record, I'm not a wealthy man. I also very much appreciate you pointing out the white monkey (white shill) problem in China as well. CCP propaganda is rampant across the internet, especially in Taiwan. They push a lot of soft power tactics in order to manipulate worldview, but anyone with an IQ above room temperature should be able to see through it. I've always found it ironic that they won't allow their people past the firewall but they sure as hell push their propaganda beyond it. If you want to learn more about white monkeys and see them being mocked check out the KZbin channel "LeeLee Farley". It's a white guy who went to college in China but took the route of truth instead of becoming a shill. Again, thanks for your videos. I'll be becoming a patron as soon as I'm able. I'm still getting setup in Indonesia. Best wishes

[@ratboi3553]

hey bro, just wished to ask about the fact that the comments on your poland video are disabled even though you critisized polands freedom of speech. thats wierd to me, why is it like that?

[@steephanroy8461]

For a person who is copying kraut u should give more emphasis on the values he uphold and the quality of his research content.its ability to go beyond what's been showed into the mouth of the average flat earther by the corporate media ... Give more emphasis on that and be clear to reveal the authenticity and the source of your content

[@MasterSanders]

For those who might be concerned about the heavy handedness towards drugs, you got to understand the Eastern experience with drugs. Opium and other drugs wreaked great havoc on China and other eastern countries. It puts the Singaporean attitude in perspective.

[@miniaturejayhawk8702]

Drugs are trash and turn people into trash. You dont need to defend anything here.

[@kardoxfabricanus7590]

And yet they punish the victims rather than doing the sensible things that works which is decriminalize and legalization. Not to mention some things classified as drugs such as marijuana and psylocybin which have shown to drastically improve people's lives, health and are responsible for inspiring people both culturally, technologically and socially are outlawed. Murdering people for doing something they want which harms nobody else is a reprehensible thing that must be fought against.

[@of1564]

That fear is Actually understandable, but I have to tell you this. I come from Mexico, a heavy handedness towards drugs destroyed my country so much that there are still battles with heavy guns and our Air force.

[@prfwrx2497]

Ironically, the Qing waged the first war on drugs, and lost. How'd people not learn from that? Singapore is the exception, not the rule. Anywhere else, it's geographically impossible to put that tight a lockdown on movement to enact such stringent controls, such that the black market and their associated activities elicit more harm than the drug itself. My beef with Singapore isn't that they succeeded byway of dictators and authoritarian policies. Rather, it's how fucking idiots use them as some veritable proof that authoritarianism is the solution to everything.

[@abnerdoon4902]

I don't understand why Westerners get pissy when Asians ban drugs. Dude, just do drugs in your country.

[@muneirovalibas6194]

The problem with the SIngapore system, as a Singaporean, is that it fully banks on a govt or administration that is 100% efficient and competent. And Singapore was truly lucky that at that point in time, they had competent and visionary leadership who were also pragmatic. Singapore leadership have also created grounds to breed and train future leaders to continue this culture and tradition of excellence. The system will simply not work if Singapore at the time had anything less than stellar leaders, who are authoritarians, capitalists but also socialists and welfare minded, as necessary, which is already incredible rare even on a global scale. In that sense, Singapore is truly blessed.

[@yigakong1187]

Against all odds

[@Hades_Space_Engineer]

The most efficient Government in providing welfare will always be (at least in theory) a autocratic/dictatorial one with the most competent as leader with full power. So that the one that knows best is the one that decides. In practice Dictatorships and Autocracies have a extremly bad track record and only work with competent leaders as you said. I'll hope that the singaporean prosperity contimnues and that theyr people will live protected under the umbrella of strong leaders.

[@imgvillasrc1608]

You could also say the same thing with democratic governments. The Weimar Republic, for example, was incredibly ineffective in dealing with economic and political problems that caused the rise of Hitler. A more modern perspective is France, a fully fledged democracy and republic that constantly struggles with internal problems. It’s not authoritarian issue that is the problem, it’s a governing issue and the guy above said it best, autocratic governments are the most effective in maintaining stability, democracies need more constant work on that (cause voters can easily claim “voter fraud” if they don’t get their way).

[@jpggfg]

Being pragmatic and ideology-neutral, LKY concluded that the Western brand of democracy would not work on a country that does not have the same historical contexts as those of the West. Being pragmatic, one sees reality for what it is. LKY said that Singapore is vulnerable. With no natural resources, but its people, Singapore has to continually look for able people who share LKY's vision. That's a tough order not to be left to the people to vote. They can vote for the party but the party must and should select the right leaders to lead.

[@matthewpeloso2172]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. I think there are many people who will questions the integrity of Singapores institutions.

[@efraim6960]

as an aspiring dictator, thank you for this video

[@scintillam_dei]

A good dictator is much better than a "good" democracy. Except.... there never was a good dumbocracy. Athennian demoncracy murdered a philosopher.

[@peepdawg8995]

Duuude 😃 me too

[@dogpound8662]

Same

[@guymukulayenge7890]

out of interest, where'd you plan on dictating?

[@Camcentral4532]

😂

[@sircharlesross537]

“Why would they want democracy is authoritarianism gives them education, homes, and security?” True quote

[@miniaturejayhawk8702]

This is basically the logic behind why people join cults.

[@PauaP]

You gotta be very careful with this one tbh. Because for the rest of the world, Singapore seems to be the exception.

[@20IA]

@@miniaturejayhawk8702 and would probably have been the reason of singapore's downfall if a leader other than lee kuan yew had manipulated the whole country for their own gain.

[@hatinmyselfiscool2879]

Ask the people who regularily get mowed down by the police when they protest for democratic reform.

[@dmicah3960]

if

[@nhandinh7404]

“Nations shouldn’t adopt Democracy as their first ideology if they are in tumultuous times. If the state is too corrupt for democracy, do not do democracy. If the country is too unstable for democracy, do not do democracy. If the people are too retarded for democracy, do not do democracy. It is natural that authoritative and smart leaders lead and develop the nation in it’s beginnings, in order to open a pathway for eventual Democracy.” -Ibn Al-Haytham, Book of My Opinions & Studies on the Nature of States Another quote: “In my many years, I have yet to see more democracies within my area and abroad as well. Is it that absolute authority is seen as natural? Humanity has been doing it ever since the first records were kept. If democracy was popular before then no mortal would know, for their records have been lost to the sands of time. Now, on the other end, I’ve seen many democracies try to last. Their state was just too corrupt and retarded for that governance, however. It is saddening that democracies fail because of this. Perhaps had the people been more educated or the government more honest, those democracies I saw would’ve have worked. And when they do work, they flourish amongst the authoritarian.” -Michael Psellos, The Bedroom Book Or The Things I Think While In My Pajamas “Piss off” -Diogenes “Bro this reply section lol. By the way what’s this politics thing we talking about?” -James Buchanon, 15th President of America “The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from an enemy” -Sun Tzu, Art of War

[@dfgfgh244]

Wasn't he born in 965 AD? I don't particularly remember when the concept of Democracy came to be.

[@notaname1750]

@@dfgfgh244 “Athenian democracy began in the BC before the Roman Republic.” -Love Athens (The city State)

[@sergelondon916]

@@notaname1750 Yes, but that was only extend to men who were landowners

[@cck53sg]

😀Too many crooks spoil the soup.

[@kimjongun505]

@@dfgfgh244 Democracy is one of the oldest forms of government in human history. Examples include the state of Athens and the Roman republic.

[@PakBallandSami]

“Men are not born equal in either physical or mental capacity. But a socialist believes that society as a whole will benefit, and there will be more happiness for more people, if all are given equal opportunities for education and advancement regardless of class or property.” ― Lee Kuan Yew,

[@hatinmyselfiscool2879]

*starts too kill socialist workers unions.*

[@arnoldschwarzennegger6534]

I’m not quite sure who it was who called LKY the Confucius of politics with prophetic observation and judgement, I believe it was George Shultz. That equivalence cannot be more apt!

[@MA-go7ee]

If you read his autobiography you would know he was a virulent anti-socialist (he literally crushed the communist party in Singapore) and almost all of SIngapore's success is based on embracing capitalism when almost all post colonial countries embraced socialism.

[@puffer_frog]

And then he proceeds to curbstomp all the socialists as he makes singapore motherfuckingly capitalist, which is a good thing

[@reggie69.]

@@MA-go7ee 99 years leases and all land and homes is owned by the government at the start he definitely seemed like a socialist

[@Lykas_mitts]

Just stumbled upon this, these are all very good points. (I'm Singaporean.) The thing about it is that as long as people are fed and comfortable, secure with livelihoods, there's a lot they will be ok with letting go on. Unfortunately Lee Kuan Yew's successors haven't quite lived up to him (though he had a bit of a cult of personality that developed from his supporters praising him for the rapid growth, so that could be argued as being unfair to his successors). There's a lot of things that are seen as authoritarian but yet foreign media is still frequently consumed within singapore (with the internet, news from overseas is more accessible). Unfortunately this has led to a large portion of chinese educated elderly consuming CCP propaganda.

[@NewmaticKe]

People were not praising LKY when he was running the show

[@freddysband3632]

Their not actually consuming CCP propaganda As a Singaporean too, I can assure you, they just want to believe in their own country no matter what. My parents are from China, and I grew up listening to them talking about China and badmouthing the US, while getting West feed. TBH, the West is using the most propaganda in my view. True, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is bad But what the hell is the west talking about Russia? Dictatorship(WTF)? So, CCP indeed is using propaganda, but it is exaggerated by the West in my view. Uh I was just talking about your last sentence, I agree with everything else wholeheartedly.

[@cjclark2002]

Not all news is propaganda, in any nation. Besides, if they’re Chinese then what’s wrong with consuming media from China? I see no “unfortunately”

[@freddysband3632]

@@cjclark2002 true

[@freddysband3632]

@@cjclark2002 Wow your statement is way more reasonable

[@re6n]

As an ethnic malay Malaysian, I can feel nothing but shame when learning about what our early government did to cement and perpetuate the discrimination the people of Singapore and chinese malaysians, with the latter lasting to this very day. I earnestly hope that one day, we can put our differences aside and see eye to eye as the brothers and sisters we were always meant to be. I can not apologize for what our government has done, but I can give you my trust that I will never ever support the discrimination and racism perpetuated by the government.

[@LeifErikBob]

if u actually had read more, the malaysian government actually gave Chinese Malaysians economic benefits, thats why Chinese people dominate the malayaian economy

[@re6n]

@@LeifErikBob this is actually not true. The reason why Chinese Malaysians dominate the economy is because they worked in the industrial sector during colonial times. Chinese immigrants worked in tin mines, which were a lot more profitable than the rubber plantations Malays worked in. This combined with the overall business ethics of the Chinese, made them dominate the countries economy

[@moistnutella9560]

@@LeifErikBob but the Chinese Malaysians already held a disproportionally large share of the economy since the colonial era so that doesn't really explain it

[@روسلان-ق3ض]

@@LeifErikBob true. Even on paper the policy favours the malay, this is hardly true. On paper just for political mileage and support of malays. In reality economic wise, chinese got the upper hand.

[@sakurakou2009]

the chinese culture is dominating even in malaysia , if Singapore had stayed in malaysia you would became minority in your own country , anyone could see that also as people in comments say chinese are more business and economy mature and organized , malays wouldn't have chance to climb social ladder , would end up being forced to assumilate and work under chinese , and from what I see in africa chines look down on those who they see as beneath them and you working for them mean you lesser then them , I think malaysia did the right choice for the future of malays . chinese can always go to any chinese majority country and enjoy their culture while malays only have malaysia

[@Orthane]

I think Singapore is one of the best examples of how a Dictatorship that isn't run by greedy self-centered assholes (which is sadly the case for 90% of Dictatorships) can actually be arguably the best form of government out there.

[@フフーガ]

This is exactly why you should vote me for POTUS in 2024

[@coldstring5646]

Lky says the most important thing is for a government to consider themselves a trustee of the people. No matter your model of governance, that’s the people you need. If the sg government loses this spirit one day, we’ll just go down the same route as everyone else.

[@smoadia85]

in the end, no system/civilisation/institution/etc stays the same forever. i think your statement has to add: I think Singapore is one of the best examples of how a Dictatorship that isn't run by greedy self-centered assholes (which is sadly the case for 90% of Dictatorships) *for the time being*, can actually be arguably the best form of government out there.

[@masterq2.033]

90% , that's an understatement of arsewhole proportion.

[@danielch6662]

I don't believe any corrupt dictator started off that way. They would never have gained power in the first place. But the fact that we see so many corrupt dictators supports the thesis that they *became* corrupt, likely by the power that they wielded for too long. Think of _the one ring_ in Tolkien's books.

[@ultimaxed8239]

The caning law was actually implemented by the british which explains why caning is also practiced in Malaysia and Brunei

[@danielch6662]

Well, when we gained independence, we didn't start with no laws on the books. We simply copied over all the laws that were already present when we were British colonies.

[@Wfalen]

And in time they could have been changed. No one was stopping them. It is foolish to blame former colonial powers for laws when you have had decades of time to change them

[@longiusaescius2537]

@Sneikki don't arrest criminals, don't enforce laws, because doing that is mean. Infact you should let criminals get away with everything and penalize citizens who take the law into their own hands after the state never enforces it

[@Ducklolly]

As a Singaporean, I can confirm that everything you said was correct

[@MoonLiteNite]

I wish more americans believed this. Nobody believes me when i try and describe how it is in singapore (as an american). Everyone in USA thinks it is some perfect place, with no litter, no crime, no drugs, etc..... but singapore still has all of that, just to a less degree. And to gain that less of a degree, you give up many things that no american would stand for. Americans think you can just take something from singapore and drop to USA and have it work, like HDB housing or the MRT haha it doesn't work like that.....

[@mrfweeis]

@@MoonLiteNite yeah that's a good point! HDB for example was working with the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) which had the power to aggressively purchase land to build on thanks to a law/policy (something like that) passed at the time. It's a lot of work and foresight and all it has to show for it is towns filled with tall buildings.

[@krollpeter]

@@MoonLiteNite Nevertheless, there are a couple of things the US and other countries could learn, or which could be adopted with the own social background and culture in view. For example: Not MRT as it is in Singapore, but much better public transport. Not HDB but better public housing. And remember: The safety. If my wife goes out late with her friends, I do not need to worry about her. Or my son finishes school, I do not need to worry about someone offering him "something very fun" at the school gate. That's also freedom.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@krollpeter exactly

[@Brandon-nl1nf]

Man ur content quality is unreal . Found u over the weekend and watched every single video. You clearly show this is your passion

[@cat-vv9xb]

It is absolutely true a benevolent dictatorship will do more good than a corrupt democracy. Usually even a good democracy. I don't usually see eye-to-eye with the PAP, but I do know they, at least, act in good faith most of the time. They need to solve the issue of widening inequality, and not just with wealth, but with power and how the rich and powerful seems to get away with more atrocities just because they are rich and powerful.

[@dankasscrow6121]

"the issue of widening inequality, and not just with wealth, but with power and how the rich and powerful seems to get away with more atrocities just because they are rich and powerful" You just explained, even though you seem to be a fan of them, why no "benevolent" dictatorship truly exists.

[@nothde9865]

Where? And how do the rich and powerful get away from "atrocities" in SG?

[@TheShadowOfZama]

@@dankasscrow6121 Plenty of rich and powerful people get away in a democracy as well so that on it's own can't be a strike against a dictatorship in favour of democracy neither does widening inequality as plenty of democracies suffer from the same issue.

[@galena6884]

They need to solve the issue of widening inequality, and not just with wealth, but with power and how the rich and powerful seems to get away with more atrocities just because they are rich and powerful. >solution is simple just redistribute the wealth, but rich will never do that they rather continue to exploit other to gain more wealth. the more wealth/capital you have the more power you have. LKY view on who to provide wealth show he is same as any rich individual, they only choose who they 'trust' with their wealth.(the hard truth)

[@danielch6662]

The trick is getting the benevolent dictatorship. _Absolute power corrupts absolutely_ , so the saying goes. It is absolutely true. Most of the corrupt dictators did not start off that way. And another problem with dictatorships is that it gets very difficult to replace a dictator.

[@filipkauzynski1179]

I love the style of these videos, i really appreciate the quality and hard work you are puting into them

[@zakariakaleem3271]

As someone living in Pakistan(and grew up in a dictatorship) I have grievances with both systems, but more so democracy For starters its the fact democracy developed over the courses of centuries for western european nations states, you can't just apply that model to made up post colonial Frankenstein states and expect it to work, I view my own nation's history as a testament to this fact A multi ethnic country with multiple spoken languages and where majority of the population are some variation or combination of illiterate, tribal or feudal, majority of those in rural regions will vote for whoever their feudallord tells them to vote for, the urban working population will vote for whoever can give them a hot meal at the end of the day, so the rich politicians that rule my nation don't even have an inventive to do anything for the people, the only issue politicians have is with other politicians or my nation's bloated army that does a coup every 10-30 years Even then, If true and actually fair democracy was ever allowed, people would most likely vote for some Sunni theocratic government, that would make life hell for non-muslims and non-sunnis(such as Shia and Ahmediyah) so like 25-30% of people would be treated as third class citizens, not to mention the status of women overall Overall there's no one right answer to what a state needs to develop

[@Inaf1987]

The whole subcontinent could have used the American model, where passing a law at the national level is exceedingly difficult because of the US senate. And we could have also increased the number of states.

[@zakariakaleem3271]

@@Inaf1987 how much state authority does India allow ? Cause here its a joke, I could bet majority of people wouldn't even know who the chief minister of their own province is, cause its such a useless position

[@stud6414]

Tragic. At least, you can rest assured that England will be be an Islamic Pakistani type state in the next 25 years

[@Snp2024]

​​@@zakariakaleem3271 it's very important position for infra, taxation and business dealings to manufacturing district level development only it fails in law making level as national law can and have been forced on time and time as there are dozens if not hundreds of parties in nation so if opposition is not United even barely majority central government can pass law amendments easily

[@user-yc3fw6vq5n]

Yep.

[@Sakhi_BH]

Bro, one day you're gonna blow up when the KZbin algorithm sees how good your videos are. Keep working hard!

[@ArthurGencer]

Yes that's what Singapore did, and it clearly worked wonderfully. If I can live a good, safe life. Where the streets are clean and healthcare/housing is affordable, then nothing about it's system of governance is a problem for me. They're doing their jobs.

[@wormsblink2887]

Yes, massive praise to the PAP for building a successful nation in spite of almost guaranteed failure. Majulah Singapura!

[@heavenbright2342]

"Dictatorship" is a funny term. I personally believe people should have as much freedom to good things and from bad things as reasonably possible. That doesn't necessarily mean the Western Liberal Model of 1 person 1 vote is the only way for that to happen.

[@It-Will-All-Be-Okay-I-Promise]

But it is 1 Person 1 Vote though. It’s just that the PAP is so popular nobody thinks the other parties could do any better. The main thing separating Singaporean Democracy from regular Western Democracy is that the party in power has no checks to what it can do as long as the party wants to do it. This only works when those in power are strictly pragmatic. Any belief or dogma will ruin it. If you have the German Green Party, or the GOP, or the Tory Party, or anything of the sort with that kind of power, you get China at best and Turkmenistan at worst.

[@PrimeChaosVC]

It is really just labelling by the west. A vast majority of western intellectuals would label something that they disagree with, to stigmatize it when they deem necessary, to put it in a bad light. It threatens their belief and the narratives they created in their medias to bamboozle the common people at home and abroad. Creating a pseudo belief system that Democracy and individual freedoms are somehow "divine and superior", and it is blasphemous to challenge these ideas and system. To the common people, this has truly become a new religion after decades if not centuries of reinforcement of these ideas.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? MLS Student Debt

[@longiusaescius2537]

Exactly

[@匿名的-1]

Great video again! I kinda felt that you would make a video about this, as I think it's a very interesting topic that isn't talked about too much.

[@johannazulkifli8860]

as a Malaysian...it was a very smart move to exit Malaya...their struggle to survive is what grew the economy, including not institutionalizing religion and race...I've always wondered, what if LKY magically ruled Malaysia hahah...not saying he's the epitome of perfect, but in a positive comparative sense...how much potential can we offer at this rate, today, if we had such governance over the years...nonetheless, some people could contest to this point, but then again, the world always discordantly argue about sthg...hahah

[@compounding999]

Dictatorship by definition cannot be voted out by popular vote. Hence Singapore is not a dictatorship when we go to the polls every 4 to 5 years in freely held, corruption free, general elections. Coupled with a independent judiciary, I take offence at your label of my country

[@MoonLiteNite]

so is north korean votes. when the winning party gets 90%+ of the votes for decades, and anyone from the other party gets close and ends up jail, you might be in a dictatorship ..... Yes i know of the other parties, but they keep quite, have no say or voting power.

[@compounding999]

@@MoonLiteNite So You think Singapore is similar to North Korea now do you. Lol ok I rest my case on how blind some people are

[@dinte215]

I think most Westerners define dictatorship as a country that doesn't have their social, economic, political and ideological values. You don't believe what believe = ruthless dictatorship

[@factfiend1000]

@@compounding999 So, its like the anti-North Korea? No offense intended, just curious.

[@chiamt02]

Singapore is not without its flaws. but before you criticize it, perhaps you should look at how the USA is now beset by crime. Because they choose to be kind to criminals by letting them off far too easily. Well, that's democracy, if majority of you in the west think this is good for you, then by all means.

[@RSS_Kirygan]

Perhaps you shouldn't be using whataboutism because that a bad argument but anyways Look at japan, korea and scandinavian country they all democratic and a good place to living in and having a low crime rate plus the scandinavian treat is criminal well. The usa isn't the only country with democracy and the usa doesn't represent the West there other country too. (i am singaporean btw)

[@Daniel-rh7kh]

There are two types of Authoritarian governments: Technocratic ones, light or heavy hand when it comes to corruption, occasional purges, less importance to social programs, focus on the long term prosperity, eventual liberalization. Examples: Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Chile, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan Despotic ones, corruption is a tool of governance, occasional purges, populism, importance of social programs depend on the populous' satisfaction towards the regimes, focus on who gets what, no planning even for the short term, usually ends up as a chaotic or stagnated nation. Examples: Most west African nations, Zimbabwe, most central Asian nations.

[@az0989ejdje]

3rd: the human rights-violating dictatorships Examples: China, N Korea, Belarus

[@ericboom1712]

​@@az0989ejdjenah that should be divided into two categories: 3. Communist regimes A bit of a combination of despotic and technocratic regimes with a far left socialist/authoritarian capitalist twist Examples: China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba 4. Semi-despotic regimes Regimes that have many aspects of liberty and freedom in them such as belief in free Market, Democracy and such but due too heavy corrupt ion had become de-facto despotic Examples: Russia and it's economic and military sphere.

[@kennethng3757]

I wouldn't say Singapore experience multiculturalism back then. Yes, we had multiple cultures, but the british kept them separated into different townships. Kampung Glam for the Malays, Little India for the Indians, and Chinatown for the Chinese.

[@dsdy1205]

It's important to keep in mind that Singapore is very small. A country of 6 million people spread across a couple dozen kilometers of land makes for very conducive conditions for top-down management. Communications and commuting are easy, so culture homogenises easily. Organisations are smaller, and less layered with bureaucracy than is typical in larger authoritarian countries. 6 million people respond in more predictable and manageable ways than a hundred million, or even a billion. Constant immigration and emigration acts as a steady refresh of the national culture, allowing the government easy influence on the country's demographics. All the conditions you'd need to make authoritarianism a success, given the limits of individual humans, policy, and technology today, are there. It's also important to keep in mind that Singapore is very young. Even today a large percentage of the working class are actually as old or older than the country in its current political form. The benefits and context of authoritarian rule are still fresh in most citizens' minds. As the country enters its next generations, the younger generations will not have this context, nor will they face the same problems. What a culture that curbs independence does to an individual, whether a society can effectively grow if it is paternalistically controlled from above, all of these are questions that the current government will have to grapple with as it moves into the future, and whether the answer is still authoritarianism remains to be seen.

[@MoonLiteNite]

it is also more like 3.5mil, the other 3mil are people who are on work visas or long term pass holders. I was out there shortly after covid started, almost all the immigrant workers all left. Now this year, i see all the foreign workers back

[@dsdy1205]

@@MoonLiteNite Well, no sense not counting them since they are such a significant portion of the population

[@Hhhh22222-w]

Singapore and Switzerland are a good example of correct globalisation and frankly how countries should actually be.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@haruyanto8085 ew

[@Playtist]

The only reason Singapore is able to function under such circumstances is due to the fact that the leadership has a very, very low rate of corruption, and the focus on equal opportunity for all. There is no lobbying or special interest, insider trading, and the separation of religion from state laws is done very carefully, which is evident in our racial and religions harmony. Singapore did not attain such a functioning democracy and multi-racial/religiousity in a day; It took generations of sacrifices and fine-tuning (Start by giving up weapons, cracking down on vice activities, strengthening our policing, all done in a progressive manner). Our forefathers have seen the effects of drugs, secret societies, and racial conflicts and we collectively have decided that we will gladly follow the rules (or be 'sheep') if it means that our society prospers. - From a happy sinkie

[@itsdemonplays9366]

Thanks for yet another informative video, greatly looking forward to the next!

[@gideonhorwitz9434]

As dictatorships go Singapore is more passive than most the best analogy is if the nanny state finally took full form into every aspect of life. While still maintaining a functional society. I still think it’s ridiculous that you can’t chew gum tho

[@iniini4571]

You can chew on gum, you cannot sell the product.

[@SSgtJ0hns0n]

Plenty of people do buy gum from Malaysia and bring it in for personal consumption. Border police don't really even bat an eye at gum, unless you brought in several cartons of it.

[@huaiwei]

I also find it ridiculous so many foreigners cannot get it factually right. You cannot sell gum in Singapore, but you can consume them here. And the fact is that practically 99% of Singaporeans today do not even give a damn about gum anymore. We simply grew out of it and lost interest in it. Hence, no vandalism or littering caused by gum, nor dental issues, and we are not exactly whining about that. There are plenty of nicer things to eat here than chewing on what is essentially nutritionless sweet rubber. If you think I am being defensive and is pro-government, I have actually yet to vote for the ruling party. 😉😉

[@gershomtan5879]

Chewing gum is fine mate. Selling it is illegal tho. Technically you could give it away though.

[@MoonLiteNite]

chewing gum is legal, i had no issues bringing gum into singapore. You just can't give/sell it in singapore.

[@SuperKeith1988]

As a Singaporean, let me just say this: even though it is a soft authoritarian island-nation, so long you do not challenge the ruling government with lies, distortions and just plain lies, nothing will happen to you. In fact, citizens are more than welcome to send feedback on government policies. But if you start slinging accusations questioning the integrity of the ruling government, you are toast. Without LKY and his first generation of leaders, Singapore would not have been the prosperous island-nation she is right now. Remember, Singapore has ZERO natural resources. Singapore has NO hinterland. But you know what does Singapore have? People. Lots and lots of people. Which was why the ruling government doubled down on unrestricted free trade with other nations and investments on its people to level up their skills. Singapore is an unfinished nation. She is always constantly changing and her citizens are aware of that. Change is the only constant in life and Singapore has proven that with each successive year. Completely free democracy, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press are useless if a government of the nation cannot provide universal healthcare, feed its people, give them jobs or help the poor to move up the income ladder. What's the point of freedom & democracy if your children can get gunned down in their schools? What's the point of freedom & democracy if your country still has no universal healthcare? What's the point of freedom & democracy if your abortion rights are still being taken away from you? Freedom & democracy are overrated things if basic necessities are not being delivered by the government. Our government is not perfect of course. But at the end of the day, I will always have a roof over my head, universal healthcare, three meals a day and I get to walk on the streets of Singapore in the middle of the night without the fear of being robbed or gunned down. That's my freedom as a Singapore citizen.

[@Odyss2023]

How can you be os sure that your great supreme leader's son or grand son is competent as the original? Do you have any kind of political alternate answer?

[@longiusaescius2537]

@Odyss2023 so a possibility of a bad leader instead of a guarantee of all bad ones?

[@thealliedpowers]

You're really slinging a lot of mud while also not considering you're talking about a country that got it's independence from Britain the more common way - fighting about it. What, you think the 350,000,000 Americans would be a-ok with one party coming to power and saying they're going to be in control now? It wouldn't work. I'll throw one back at you, Singapore's a safe country, it also produces essentially nothing of real artistic value. It's something uncannily close to the kinds of "perfect" utopias depicted in works such as Lois Lowry's The Giver or Gen Urobuchi's PSYCHO-PASS for a completely different example.

[@freddysband3632]

When you live in Singapore, you can't even tell it was a dictatorship or it is still one.

[@buglepong]

the last 2 years reminded everyone it is

[@freddysband3632]

@@buglepong What the- No You think too much, it was just lockdown what

[@freddysband3632]

@kingcook What-

[@buglepong]

@@freddysband3632 sure, "just" a lockdown

[@freddysband3632]

@@buglepong I mean what It's not like we were purged

[@luisf2793]

Fun fact Marvel has a fictional country that is literally the reverse of Singapore called Madripoor. Singapore is a huge place for trading eventually developing into a country with a very strong government with a Buddhist majority Madripoor was a huge den for pirates that turned into an anarchist state ruled by crime lords. It has a Hindi majority, and is home to Wolverine’s favorite bar

[@feister2869]

Is this saying singaporeian alcohol is completely shit?

[@gweejiahan9336]

Lolz but singapore was full of pirates before the brits, pirates of the carribean wasnt too far off. the beaches of singapore used to be littered with human bones before the brits cleared it.

[@prasanth2601]

Singaporeans are very lucky to have a visionary leader like Mr. Lee kuan yew. The fact that his economic model is inspiration for deng xiaoping to pave the foundation for modern Chinese economy is enough to say how great he is in this field. Our world need more politicians like this

[@djungelskog3434]

Just wanted to note that the position of being Singapore's Prime Minister comes with an annual salary of 2.2 million Singaporean dollars, and honestly it feels pretty sensible, in the words of Lee Kuan Yew: 'If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys'

[@freundesdienst_sofum]

im so happy youtube recommended me this channel!! so interesting and informative! ill make sure to recommend these videos to my friends

[@GabrielMartineIIifan]

Remember, centre left is the best ideologies, Singapore takes care of it's citizens by installing "dictatorship" Dictatorship is good only if the government is not corrupt. Meaning that good dictatorships are good leaders.

[@huaiwei]

PAP is centre right.

[@rockomax2732]

then I guess the one thing we should learn is to stay close to the center and not go batshit insane

[@Hhhh22222-w]

Good governance is good governance regardless

[@huaiwei]

@@rockomax2732 exactly. Most governments who stick to centre-left or centre-right are pretty sensible. Unfortunately the voters are not necessary as intelligent and love to flirt with the extremes.

[@thegoat1817]

As a Singaporean, we’ve all already accepted the fact the Lee family will govern us for years to come.

[@Vitrivius]

this did not age well lmao

[@treywainman]

Keep up the excellent work!

[@elbowpastatime]

Very happy to see another upload I binged every video you've made a while back and I've been hungry for more ever since Keep up the good work, mate

[@hyuuganatsume2621]

Random but Singapore or as the old names Temasek was already rich even back in the Malacca Sultanate period in the 14th century. Temasek was govern by the Malacca sultanate until Malacca lost to Portuguse in 1511 where the Sultan and royalty ran toward Temasek and created a new country called Johor. The Singapore started to exist when some royal in Johor made a deal with the British

[@Ai14106]

It's not bad types of governments but bad types of leaders that can ruin a country

[@ZigZag-mw9ir]

The problem with Authoritarian states, is they are often very vulnerable to whatever the current leader is like and are rarely that accountable. A bad democratic leader will often be voted out preventing power from surrounding an individual.

[@minutemanchan7232]

@@ZigZag-mw9ir The only bad authoritarian nation is Australia

[@SSgtJ0hns0n]

@@ZigZag-mw9ir I guess we got lucky with LKY then, since the man even after the end of his life refused to allow any streets, buildings or places named after him, nor even a statue erected in his honor (closest thing we have is an education award named after him). At least for most people, that rules out the selfish egomaniac angle for LKY's attitude to ruling the country.

[@NiceColorss]

Absolutely love your content, keep up the great work!

[@Outstralian]

Glad to see you're still making videos! Really love your analysis on history and politics ❤❤❤

[@smogzone2719]

Love to see a video by you and a video about Singapore! Lee Kuan Yew is a very interesting man.

[@pilot8720]

Lucky to have found this channel last week, really good content!

[@8181nuky]

I just wanted to share my comment as a Singaporean and this is my own opinion. Mr Lee words may be harsh but, being harsh does not mean it is wrong. Even now, with how educated Singaporean are, it does not necessarily mean we know what they we. It also does not mean we know how to run a country. Let along then. In term of death penalty for recent drug trafficking individual, I think overseas media has only emphasize about the individual defence of his IQ. The prosecutor team medical examination said otherwise. Why is no one bringing this up? I support the death penalty. Having said that, it is still a sad event where an individual life has been ended. Most importantly, our legal system work! There r definitely drug addicts in Singapore. However, to come across one is far and none. I am not saying this is the result of the system but I am saying, it does indicate there is not as many drug addicts when compared to other countries where there are cases ppl taking drug out in the open as if there is nothing

[@longiusaescius2537]

He just hates criminals not getting away with crime

[@anaveragegamer359]

Most people would take good authoriatism over corrupt democracy

[@WHYIMHERE350]

I would take that

[@sakurakou2009]

I actually like him , I am not even Singaporean , I am african and wish we had leader like him rather then our incompetent african leaders who puppets to west

[@lukesalvidge118]

Well the other half puppet to china, this is the problem when there are two major power blocs

[@GreenHornet553]

Love this video, MT. It does an excellent job of explaining how Singapore got to its current state. Speaking of states choosing pragmatic and authoritarian approaches to achieve greater social harmony, I was wondering if you could do a video on the current situation in El Salvador and Nayib Bukele. I've noticed some parallels with him and Lee Kuan Yew, albeit as well with other Latin American dictators and the like.

[@urbanfrog]

Damn just found your channel today, and you upload. Lucky me lol

[@PsychoSocialism]

This is a gem of a channel, you have a great style of presentation, and im amazed you dont have more subs. Binge time!

[@superforresttie1032]

Love these videos on the 20th century keep up the good work

[@stefi1438]

I always love the music you use and how they fit in the video’s keep up the quality!

[@weilandiv8310]

Empty, going-nowhere political groups always have badass logos!

[@jarekkish5515]

Looks likes Mosley's BUF logo. LOL that would explain a lot.

[@sunny7565]

Its run by committee like a business...best description in my opinion. No king/queen...and president is an elected position as a figurehead without most executive powers that the prime minister has.

[@PresAlexWhit]

Lee Kuan Yew is the reason why I believe in Technocracy.

[@renoramadhanalmaghribi]

You pick the wrong man and believe. He and most of the best leadership in eastern Asia from the economic miracle time is just a good educated lawyer that's forced on the barrel to implement legalist neoliberal in their outlook on power.

[@PresAlexWhit]

@@renoramadhanalmaghribi Good. I'd rather live in a "legalist neoliberal" country than a 3rd world shithole where most of the population starve in the streets. Lee Kuan Yew turned Singapore from that into one of the best and most efficient countries in the world in 30 years. The average Joe doesn't know jack shit about governance yet we're all given the same voting rights. From 70 IQ to 170 IQ. Neoliberalism has been working for the last half century and has only been going downhill considering lawyers control the entire government instead of trained and educated professionals in their relative field.

[@galena6884]

@@PresAlexWhit but the thing about neoliberal country is that there is a need for shit hole country to exploit. Singapore has been exploiting foreigners since the start. Singapore is just lucky because we have socialist policies to prevent us from failing quickly. Neoliberalism has been working for the last half century > no it not. the free market is for business owners/employer and not the mployee. the employers have more leverage, like if the employers refused to increase their salary they can just hire someone cheaper or make another employee to do more work. Its real easy to threaten your employee in singapore. if singapore give the power to the worker no one will do business with us. Employers and employee relationship is ironic.

[@Georges_IV]

Honestly you are the most underrated channel ive ever seen. Unironically one of my favorites at the moment. Keep it up constantly and eventually youll succeed.

[@longiusaescius2537]

Eh

[@gonefishing6337]

your videos are genuinely awesome, loved your videos about Africa, China, the Middle East, Exxon Mobil, and Space. All interesting, more people should know these things.

[@mrscottishguy4612]

Congratulations on getting 5 and a half thousand subscribers mate. I'm looking forward to your next video

[@eddie9559]

how do you square this video with your Rwanda video?“Why would they want democracy if authoritarianism gives them education, homes, and security?” This is a valid sentiment for Singaporeans but not for Rwandans? I'm not trying to attack you, I'm curious where you draw the line.

[@kurosakitagami2788]

Honestly a w for Singapore

[@TheJediKermity]

Oh my god sir, this is beautiful. You are seriously underrated and I pray you get more subscribers!

[@SiPakRubah]

For me, it's a good thing they got kicked out, because Malaysia ways of ruling also seems like not in a good way because of focusing in one race only, Malay. Like, they gave a lot of subsidiaries towards the "bumiputera" (Indigenous people like Malay and the native people), making some non-Malay didn't get as much as privileged as the Malays, forcing them to do it all by themselves. Even the school system in Malaysia still practicing "vernacular" school system based on race like Chinese and Indian school, which is ridiculous for modern days, but that's the reality

[@aimansafwan1997]

The vernacular school system existed before independence thanks to the British, and the Chinese wanted the way it is to protect their own language. So the government can't change the archaic system without the consent of Malaysia's largest minority group.

[@SiPakRubah]

@@aimansafwan1997 Then why Singapore doesn't have Vernacular school anymore? Their education was the same as us before during the British era, it's just ours that managed to still keep these education system

[@aimansafwan1997]

@@SiPakRubah Well, Singapore once had this system during British occupation of the island. After forcible separation from Malaysia, Lee Kuan Yew abolished it. Fun fact, Singapore is one of three Crown Colonies before Malacca and Penang joined Malaysia. The rest of the peninsula are British protectorates.

[@figtree_video_archive]

Can't actually fix anything when our parliament is literally a circus

[@MrPicunYT]

Just found ypur channel and damn boi is good. Would love to see you talk about the condor operation, you'll have a lot to tackle on once you reach latin america's story with cues and civil unrest, keep the great work dude!

[@__-rt5tm]

i just wanted to say that it feels wrong for your videos to have such low amount never give up making these great productions

[@quincyames2014]

oh look a Muslim kind of cringe ngl

[@ogolow570]

@@quincyames2014 bruh

[@quincyames2014]

@@ogolow570 :O

[@BenDover-tk3jj]

I just discovered your channel today and after watching over half your videos I can safely say you are BY FAR the most underrated history/political/philosophy channel on KZbin. It is CRIMINAL that you aren't receiving hundreds of thousands of views each video you publish. I don't know what's going on but I know for certain if you keep on doing what you do people will begin to notice. Maybe a collaboration with other more prominent history channels would help? Cause I know once they see your roster of videos and the quality of your dialogue they'll definitely see what I'm seeing and have you on.

[@jh_jlo4449]

Have a coffee. Cheers to the great work.

[@krzysztofpietrzak4130]

I just wanted to say that you are my favourite yt channel. Keep uploading

[@xiphactinusaudax1045]

But what if something happens in the PAP that causes them to become corrupt (keep in mind I don't live in Singapore, and am fairly ignorant in terms of the politics there)? I guess the system works fine for now, but in the case something happens, there should be some way to counter it. Like an emergency election. Not that that could really do much if corrupt dictators had absolute control, but if there was some underlying democracy with minimal power that exercised extreme power when the citizens decided so, could that help?? I'm ignorant in terms of politics in general

[@themusicgaragetmg2330]

It has already happened... but u won't hear about it, media is controlled by the state... lky might have been the wonderful leader, but what follows the 1st dictator usually cannot perform as well, and once it becomes a dynasty, corruption is inevitable. But as you can see, most will rather bury their heads in the sand than to admit the current short comings. Dictatorships are like the quick high of a heroine hit, the downside you will be seeing in the following decades

[@jasonh9323]

Your editing style reminds me of another KZbinr named Kraut. Keep up the good work!

[@nkristianschmidt]

many aspects of democracy and leniency towards criminals are immoral

[@THEPOINTLESWHY]

This videos are very good, this channel will blow up soon

[@demetriusteh]

Sometimes I just wonder what the country would've been today if he decided to pursue law instead. Since his wife and him did pursue for law prior, to him choosing politics for the sake getting protection for the country from being used to an advantage learning from the Japanese occupation. Then again I think his wife is smarter than him with her often making some of the decisions on behalf of him

[@MrMostlybad]

One of my favorite Tubers rn 100k coming soon brother, keep it up

[@skeletontoes7692]

Thanks

[@mpdmpd8118]

any political system will work if they working the righteous way and love their people and country.

[@jmasters7515]

I think if there’s any main theme of your videos it’s that people are willing to ignore anything a government does as long as long as they are open to business and bring prosperity, very similar similar to Rwanda and other regimes like the Pinochet regime in Chile

[@danielc2701]

Not totally true, for example, in Singapore's case, the government is also seen to be rather painfully logical and transparent about their thinking process, even if people call them excessively clinical and bureaucratic. Governments simply cannot be seen to be irrational and whimsical or it would affect confidence. And you might want to take a look at Rwanda currently rather than remember it from something 30 years ago.

[@CooltasticOG]

This video somehow got into my recommended and I subbed to you after that

[@harryloo8544]

SG government ruled according to the aspiration of its people. That alone makes it a true democracy.

[@grumpiesttitan7930]

I love this channel, how is it not bigger?

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Here’s my question: even if the Singaporean people approve of this, could the rest of the world live with a country that does this?

[@ihavenojawandimustscream4681]

Singapore had a unique historical and geographic circumstance that allowed its people to tolerate a dictatorship. I can't imagine singaporean model exported to anywhere else except maybe Israel or some african countries like Rwanda. All these countries have people surrounded by hostile neighbours and with a memory of historical tragedy

[@Kaiodenic]

It's important to also note that autocrats aren't inherently evil, _tyrants_ are. The issue with autocracies is that once you get a tyrannical leader, there's nothing you can do about it and many, many people will suffer and die. Democracies work slower than autocracies, but that speed is the price for protection against tyrants as we have many systems in place to massively slow down their tyrannical pursuits and then keep them out of government once their few years of power are up. So it makes perfect sense to have an autocracy as your country is developing and catching up as you can't afford to maintain a democracy without massive corruption, and then try to transition it into a democracy once you can afford to slow down or once you've had a run of tyrants and can't afford to risk having any more.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

@@Kaiodenic But there should ideally still be a check on autocratic power to prevent people like Hitler and Stalin from emerging. In the Boy Scouts, I learned that one should always keep a bucket of water next to a fire in case it spreads outside of the fire pit. This is no different.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

@@ihavenojawandimustscream4681 Though one should consider why those neighbors are hostile, though. In the case of Israel, it’s because of antisemitism and the idea that Israel should never have been a legitimate state. In the case of China, it’s because of rising authoritarianism and other political tensions with neighboring countries.

[@Kaiodenic]

@@aycc-nbh7289 For sure, it can and often does end terribly. You can't really do much about it if you want the fast progress of an autocracy, though - which is why you gotta switch to a democratic system as soon as you have caught up and it's safe to do so. Switching is a whole other hell of course, it's just what it is.

[@ameryaser3987]

Amazing video my man

[@bellamytungaelisha9153]

May be it would be better,if you lived your style in west and let others live their style in peace

[@kamerondonaldson5976]

my only issue with colonialism is precisely this... that rival empires are simultaneously establishing colonies on the same territory as your own colonies. this leads to proxy wars at best..

[@Beary727]

You should do a video on pol pot and the Khmer rouge and the atrocities they committed

[@shane_king9000]

to be far being pragmatic is more important in a country that anything else

[@krealyesitisbeta5642]

Malaysia: “Sorry, but we have to let you go.” Singapore: 😰 Poland, China and etc.: “Bruh.”

[@mahaphoublue7644]

Singapore May seem as dictatorship as bad ideology world see but admire them never end due to how the leader keep increasing and develop the country into the better and the future

[@valmid5069]

*Have you hear the presidency of Lee Kuan Yew? I thought not, it is not a story that democracy would tell you?*

[@kasualmechanic4854]

*No, no I have not*

[@noneofyourbusiness4133]

“I hope you like learning about mister House”

[@norwigwn6379]

Bro i love y vid of Afrika

[@arturogranados1133]

Thanks for this! Learned a lot!

[@wiktorlaskowski3603]

you didn’t explain the logistics of a country frying rice. L + ratio + Atlas Pro better

[@MTWright]

😔🥸

[@ieatsande9022]

Such a high quality documentary! keep up the amazing work

[@TheMaplePrivate]

Comparing how Lee Kuan Yew talks in his interviews and the way the quotes are read by the 2nd commentator, the intonations, the speed, and that fake posh british accent kinda irritates me, please just read it normally

[@angeluscorpius]

Yes. I found it... distracting at best. Irksome and irritating at worst.

[@Wter-oy1dh]

To be fair, he spent most of his tertiary education in Cambridge

[@obiwan6010]

All the more adds to his charismatic speaking ability

[@TheMaplePrivate]

@@Wter-oy1dh not LKY himself but the American reading his quotes trying to fake a posh accent, I like how LKY talks it reminds me of my late grandfather

[@Wter-oy1dh]

@@TheMaplePrivate ahhh I see

[@werren894]

singapore is great, i support them, love from indonesia

[@skiesboi]

I find it interesting that you praise Lee and the PAP for doing what Kagame is doing in Rwanda, more or less. I don't get why, especially when Rwanda's ethnic tensions have spilled over to genocide, so stopping another genocide should be paramount in the thinking of the government.

[@sergelondon916]

That man is a wolf in sheep's clothing. That started the whole genocide shooting Habyarimana plane. And has been the main fact distabilising other great leak countries.

[@Jancias]

He returns!

[@kevinlee3465]

Totally rubbish to call LKY a dictator, he and his government was elected by popular votes under the Westminster parliamentary system since 1959.

[@lilianteo3229]

Many many Singaporeans they don't know what they don't know. Hope the new PM would deliver knowledge to them. Dictatorship is supreme authority in any line invested, ruled autocratically & prescribed for others authoritatively, offered oppressively = powered by force, unfairness, asserted one's will over another in an arrogant way, refused to listen to opinions & in some cases punished harshly. I can't see any reasonable sense to interact "sensible" with "dictatorship". Belittling others do not make one greater especially when they don't know what they don't know. Its a tragedy, not something to be proud about.