From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

Lee also describes one of his most controversial proposals: tax breaks and schooling incentives to encourage educated men and women to marry each other and have children. "Our best women were not reproducing themselves because men who were their educational equals did not want to marry them.... This lopsided marriage and procreation pattern could not be allowed to remain unmentioned and unchecked," writes Lee. Most of the book, however, is a chronicle of how Lee helped create so much material prosperity. Anticommunism is a strong theme throughout, and Lee comments broadly on international politics. He is cautiously friendly toward the United States, chastising it for a "dogmatic and evangelical" foreign policy that scolds other countries for human-rights violations, except when they interfere with American interests, "as in the oil-rich Arabian peninsula." Even so, he writes, "the United States is still the most benign of all the great powers.... [and] all noncommunist countries in East Asia prefer America to be the dominant weight in the power balance of the region." From Third World to First is not the most gripping book imaginable, but it is a vital document about a fascinating place in a time of profound transition. --John J. Miller

Product Description
Lee Kuan Yew is one of the most influential leaders in Asia. In this illuminating account, Lee writes frankly about his disapproving approach to political opponents and his often unorthodox views on human rights, democracy, and inherited intelligence, aiming always “to be correct, not politically correct.” Since it's independence in 1965, tiny Singapore - once a poor and decrepit colony - has risen to become a rich and thriving Asian metropolis. From Third World to First is a fascinating and insightful account of Singapore's survival from a history of oppressive colonialism, the Second World War and major poverty and disorder. Lee also uses previously unpublished official government reports and papers to explain how he led a tiny country into becoming a prosperous and secure modern society, amid the constant hostility of world politics. Today Singapore boasts not only to have the busiest port of trade, best airport with the world's number one airline, but also the world's fourth-highest per capita real income? An Island hailed as the city of the future, Singapore's miraculous history is dramatically recounted by the man who not only lived through it all but fearlessly forged ahead and brought about most of the changes. Lee highlights is relationships with his political peers from Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan to George Bush and poetry-spouting Jiang Zemin. Also a father of three Lee writes warmly of his family life. From Third World to First offers readers a compelling glimpse not only into the heart but also the mind of an incredibly influential man who is impossible to ignore in Asian and international politics.

First part is about development of Singapore - social, economic and political. The second part deals with foreign relations.

As an Indian, I truly admire Singapore. From what it was in 1965 to what it is today, is an educating experience. Awesome to most third world nations - fighting poverty, population growth and other social maladies.

Lee Kwan Yew had a clear vision, set himself clear goals. Above all, what led to his success is his execution skills.

Rule of law certainly helped. What I adore is the team he surrounded with to create such laws and ensure its implementation regardless of obstacles.

Singapore is a wealthy society today. Secure economically and politically.

In my observation, he had 3 primary principles towards building a nation
a) Rule of Law
b) creating a fair society (not welfare society)
c) Expenses less than income (as simple as that)

All his domestic policies were based on above principles.

I like the way he treated hawkers in Singapore's streetwalks. While ensuring cleanliness of Singapore, he provided alternative solutions so that hawkers continued their business for livelihood in a better environment. Contrast this to Maharashtra government's (Indian state) efforts in cleaning and sprucing up Mumbai's Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus area. Vendors keep coming back.

Singaporeans enjoy high savings rate, because of CPF. A guaranteed security for its citizens when they retire. Contrast this to America's 401k. When Enron collapsed, savings of many employees evaporated even as executives pocketed millions in bonus pays!

Although Singapore is a free market economy, its philosophy concerning workers and employees are caring and genuine, unlike in the United States.

Singapore is an epitome of benign dictator ship, democracy, capitalism and socialism co-existing for the general welfare of the nation.

Lee's book is a revelation for all countries of the world. The three primary principles can act as a catalyst is resolving problems.


A must read if you want to know Singapore   October 2, 2000
23 out of 27 found this review helpful

This book is a must read for people who wants to find out more about Singapore. One would be able to better understand the intimate details of the problems that Singapore faced during the period of nation building from 1965 onwards and the considerations, principles and the people involved in solving them. In his book, difficult issues like going against his friend Dr. Toh and the suicide of a minister were discussed in a very frank manner. The book also showed that Mr. Lee is a sharp observer of people, his account of his meetings with leaders like Suharto, Reagan and many more gives you insight only available if you have up close and personal contact with them. Another plus point for the book is that it is written in simple english and yet was able to bring complex ideas across to the readers. Good read!


As Singaporean.....   December 23, 2003
Oswald Chong (Austin, TX)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

The world seems to split in their judgement against Mr Lee (I'm sorry, in Chinese, his surname, or last name in the USA, comes in the front). The third world nations tend to look upon him while the developed nations tend to view him as a dictator. As a Singaporean and after reading his book, I cannot stop to give my point of view.

Mr Lee is a great visionary and Asian states in the 50s and 60s cannot be ruled like those states in the western world. Singapore ran into chaos with racial riots and problems with Malaysia. Indeed, we were kicked out of the Malayan Federations due to differences in point of view, deeply rooted in the differences of religion and race. That day proved to be the happening days and the greatest day in the history of Singapore.

To overcome those problems, Singapore cannot be open and people cannot be given that many "rights" since everything is "wrong". Singapore has to be sensitive towards neighbouring countries, which happened to be Muslim majority, while adopting western way of economic development.

THere are lots of criticisms from within Singapore about those harsh rules but without those rules, things cannot be straighten and Singapore cannot adopt new and effective policies quickly. Indeed, when one reads that book, we must appreciate that a too democratic government will do more harm to a third world country than a semi-dictatorial one. Mr Lee is not a total dictator, he is hard and tough, and that's what a developing nation needs.

Singapore is unlike Hong Kong, which tend to enjoy racial and cultural homogenity. Again, harsh rules are important to make sure the minorities are taken care of. Indeed, Singapore has the fairest policy for the minorities as compared to the US and many countries in the western worlds... we cannot discredit that since Chinese remain the majority but power sharing has been deeply rooted in the Singapore culture as all races are given equivalent representation in the government.

We are a small nation, though many African countries would have admire our strategic location, but sincerely, many of these countries are also strategic themselves. Indeed, it is the reason that Singapore has no resources and that the culture in Singapore is to continue upgrade itself to compete with the rest of the world, that makes Singapore what it is today.

Mr Lee is the captain of the ship, Singaporeans are the crews. WIthout a good and tough captain, the ship has no direction but without good crews, the ship cannot get to sail.

Again, Singapore cannot be served as an example to the rest of the world, cos we are too small and we have our own unique problem. We can just act as an inspiration to the rest. This is again what the US should be... rather than imposing on the rest of the world their style of democracy and human rights, they should allow forms of government that are suitable for each cultures to develop.

I believe this is the hidden message behind this book.


Brilliant man, brilliant book   March 13, 2006
D. J. Nardi (Washington, DC)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book really shows you what's behind the man and how he thinks. A real insight into an important leader.

It is helpful that he breaks the chapters down by subject. The sections on foreign leaders are quite interesting. Lee has a knack for understanding and observing people, although he does display a bias for more free-market, socially conservative leaders (think Reagan over Carter). Also, look for quirky character profiles on Burma's Ne Win and Indonesia's Suharto.

I also think some of his explanations for his controversial actions are plausible and should be accepted. For example, his policy of suing foreign publications that do not agree to print an official response from the government verbatim makes sense. There is far too much sensationalist journalism attacking governments, and any good newspaper needs to be prepared for the other side's point of view. Furthermore, while some radicals think banning chewing gum and spitting infringe on our rights, quite frankly I see gum, cigarettes, and spit on the sidewalks in the US and it's disgusting. Good for Lee for taking pride in his city!

At the end of the day, Lee is full of himself, but more than almost anyone else, he has the right to be!


An interesting book   October 20, 2000
james appleton (Michigan)
12 out of 16 found this review helpful

People who lives in the West (me included) always assume that there is only only way to run the government. The book shows how impractical this could be. A small country like Singapore living in a hostile land surronded by Islamic nations can either lives peacefully with his neighbors (which it succeeds thanks to Lee Kuan Yew) or constantly at war with them (as in Israel). I recommend this books to all American politicians about leadership and the importance of compromise.