Eunice / Western Criticism of Singapore

Do you agree with the writer’s thoughts? Is Singapore’s success really the cause of all these criticisms? Pick two points raised by the author, and comment on them.

Yes, I agree with the writer that Western criticism of Singapore is due to Singapore’s success.
Throughout the years, Singapore is seen as a role-model in terms of how the government manages the different problems in the country. South Korea’s President asked his civil servants to study Singapore’s experience in rooting out corruption, and India’s Minister for Women looked at Singapore’s practice of controlling the migration of maids. With these economically inclined countries following the method that Singapore handles problems, Western countries are unhappy because they think that it degrades their way of governing.

Singapore is an authoritarian state – personal freedom is given up for the prosperity of the country. In contrast to this, Western countries are democratic. With more countries following authoritarianism, the West thinks that Singapore is out to trap its way of ruling, to show others that economic prosperity cannot be gained through democracy. Since Singapore is successful in spreading its influence, it has led to increased criticism by the West as they see it as a threat to the way that they govern their country, despite reassurances like “Without the American dream becoming the Asian dream, today’s Asia would not be possible.”

Also, I agree with the author that “criticism is the sincerest mode of flattery”. Singapore, being a tiny dot on the map, is able to gain the spotlight from so many other bigger nations. Many have thought that Singapore would fail as a state, but they have been proven wrong. This attracts curiosity as their system works and others believe that there is much more to Singapore’s success than just what is shown on the surface. Not being able to fully understand the success of this small nation, people from the West have since started scrutinizing Singapore, which I believe is largely due to jealousy.

Therefore, I agree with the writer that Singapore’s success is the cause of all criticisms.