Singapore's Foreign Policy

The following sections are included:

• Preface

• Contents

The conventional understanding of Singapore's foreign policy can be summed up in three main propositions. First, it is dictated by the imperatives of a small state, which Singapore undoubtedly is, at least in a physical sense. Second, and closely following from the above, the primary purpose of Singapore's foreign policy is to ensure its survival. Third, this logic of survival supports a realist understanding of international relations and dictates a realpolitik approach to foreign policy and national security. As Michael Leifer, in his widely known book on Singapore's foreign policy, wrote, “Singapore's leaders have consistently approached the matter of foreign policy from the conventional realist perspective of a small state obliged to cope with a world that was potentially hostile and without common government.”¹ This implies, among other things, reliance on a strong national defense capability, an emphasis on unilateralism and bilateralism over regionalism and multilateralism, a preference for US military presence to maintain the regional balance of power and a consequent prioritization of international engagement in which defense and strategic relations with external powers assumes salience over regional ties or commitment to regionalism or closer identification with its neighbors….

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Realism and Survival

• National Capacity and Foreign Policy Decision-Making

• The Changing Context

• Moving Beyond Survival

• Conclusion

The following sections are included:

• Globalization of Singapore's Economy

• The Security Motives Underlying Globalization

• External security

• Internal security

• Pressures for Regionalization: The Threat of Increased Protectionism

• Doubts about long-term viability of the globalization strategy

• The end of the Cold War

• Expanding economic opportunities in the region

• Regionalization and Its Limits

• Conclusion

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Responding to September 11: Realpolitik with Reason

• Regionalism and Inter-regionalism: Engagement with Interest

• Conclusion

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Singapore's Anti-terror Efforts

• Homeland security

• Bilateral cooperation

• Multilateral and regional measures against terrorism

• The War Over Iraq

The following sections are included:

• Facing the Rise of China and India

• The Balance of Power Imperative

• Functionalism and Economic Interdependence

• Restoring Good Neighborliness

• The Multilateral Imperative: Ideas, Identity and Institution-Building

• Conclusion: Survival Through Socialization

Please refer to full text.

This is the text of an address to the Singapore Press Club on February 6, 1972 when S. Rajaratnam first used the term “global city” to describe the role and aspiration of Singapore and to explain the reasons for its economic success.

The following sections are included:

• New Realities

• New Challenges

• New Rules-of-the-Game

• New Directions

• ASEAN's Achievement

• Criticisms

• Power and Interdependence

This is the text of a speech given by Tommy Koh at Georgetown University on November 18, 1987 on being presented with the 1987 Jit Trainor Award for Distinction in the Conduct of Diplomacy.

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Islamic Extremist Terrorism

• East Asia and North Korea

• Conclusion

The following sections are included:

• Introduction
  • Renaissance spreads in Asia
  • Origins of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
  • Evolution of my views on China and India
  • Comparison of the Chinese and Indian public sector
  • Comparison of the Chinese and Indian private sector
  • Singapore — More economic interaction with China than with India

• China and India: Studying and Learning from Each Other
  • Thickening ties
  • What can China and India learn from each other?
  • Challenges facing China and India
  • Why are the Chinese ahead?
  • Caveat

• What Can the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Offer?
  • The School as a neutral venue
  • Beyond China, India and Southeast Asia

The following sections are included:

• Time to Keep the Tryst

• China and India

• Compare and Contrast: India and China

• Walking on Two Legs

• Politics is the Issue

• Imponderables

• Conclusion

The following sections are included:

• Bibliography

• Index