Founding of Modern Singapore:

Charlie Rose introduces Lee Kuan Yew as the founding father of modern Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew was born in 1923 and studied law at Cambridge University. He returned to Singapore in 1950, where he entered politics and founded the People’s Action Party in 1954. By age 35, he became Singapore’s Prime Minister and served until 1990. He was speaking at Harvard University about leadership and has authored a book, “From Third World to First, a Singapore Story, 1965 to 2000.”

American Triumphalism:

Lee Kuan Yew advises incoming American leaders to temper their hubris and triumphalism. Despite the U.S. being ahead in technology and the internet, he suggests that it is unwise to believe that other countries cannot catch up. He notes that such arrogance could lead to a tipping point in global influence and currency balance.

Global Interconnectivity:

Lee Kuan Yew argues that the U.S. should build multiple sets of bonds and links with other nations. These ties should extend from technology and trade to relationships between professionals in various fields. By doing this, nations will better appreciate each other, fostering long-term collaboration and coexistence.

Confucianist Values in Governance:

Lee Kuan Yew highlights the importance of societal cohesiveness. He suggests that the United States could learn from Confucianist principles, which stress the responsibilities that the wealthy and powerful have towards the downtrodden. This cohesiveness prevents large disparities within society, which in turn maintains the social fabric.

Third World Debt:

Regarding third-world debt, Lee Kuan Yew is cautious. He asserts that while debt relief could offer temporary relief in cases of natural disasters or extreme poverty, it does not address systemic issues that led to the debt. Instead, he recommends structural and policy changes to ensure that the relieved countries can become economically viable again.

Asian Financial Crisis Example:

Lee Kuan Yew criticizes the International Monetary Fund’s handling of Indonesia during the Asian financial crisis. He suggests that imposing political changes, like ending nepotism in contracts during a crisis, can erode market confidence. This illustrates his broader point that structural issues should be dealt with separately from immediate financial relief.

These insights reflect Lee Kuan Yew’s deep understanding of global leadership, geopolitics, and the intricacies of international relations. His views suggest a balanced approach that considers both short-term actions and long-term structures for sustainable development and peace.

Global Perspective:

Lee Kuan Yew, the speaker, draws upon extensive travels through Africa, Asia, and Europe to explain his policy choices for Singapore’s development. He saw firsthand what didn’t work in other nations—specifically mentioning the false promises of leaders and failed systems.

Pragmatic Choices:

Instead of being ideologically committed to market economics, Lee Kuan Yew’s decisions were rooted in pragmatism and a “trial and error” approach. He sought to learn from other regions, even when Singapore didn’t have the same advantages, like military alliances and abundant capital, which Hong Kong and Taiwan had.

Strategic Partnerships:

Lee’s strategy included inviting garment manufacturers and textile mills from Hong Kong and Taiwan to Singapore. During a term at Harvard, he also interacted with leading economists and businessmen, which helped refine his development approach.

Leapfrogging Strategy:

Lee decided to “leapfrog” by attracting American multinational companies to manufacture in Singapore and re-export to global markets. The upheaval caused by China’s Cultural Revolution led these companies to bypass Hong Kong and Taiwan in favor of Singapore, enabling its rapid industrial growth.

Regional and Global Role:

Lee was conscious of Singapore’s geopolitical position, especially concerning its powerful neighbors. He drew inspiration from Israel, which had succeeded despite being surrounded by hostile nations, to envision Singapore as a stable “first-world oasis” in a tumultuous region.

From Third World to First:

The ultimate goal was to transform Singapore from a third-world island into a first-world oasis, thereby attracting more multinational corporations and ensuring they would set up their bases there. He emphasized the creation of first-world standards of infrastructure as part of this transformation.

This segment of the presentation reveals Lee Kuan Yew as a keen observer of global trends and a pragmatic policy maker. It shows how he blended learnings from around the world with Singapore’s unique context to forge a unique path to development.

Importance of Infrastructure:

Lee Kuan Yew highlights that developing first-world standards of infrastructure such as roads, airports, and seaports was the “easy” part. The focus was not just on the hardware but also extended to services like communications, health, schooling, and public security. Later on, cultural amenities like concerts and theaters were added to elevate the living standards.

Behavioral Challenges:

Lee explains that the difficult task was changing the behavior of a population accustomed to third-world living conditions to adhere to first-world standards. This involved inculcating new social habits and etiquettes, a task he describes as challenging.

Public Campaigns:

To facilitate the behavioral shift, Lee mentions how they used public campaigns, spearheaded by ministers and communicated through television. These campaigns tackled issues like spitting, littering, and urinating in public spaces. He describes how people initially made fun of these campaigns but underscores their importance in raising public conduct.

Innovative Solutions to Behavioral Issues:

Facing resistance from people who continued nuisance behaviors like urinating in public lifts, Singapore employed technological solutions, such as installing sensitive instruments and cameras in lifts, to catch and deter offenders. These creative measures exemplify the extent to which the government went to instill first-world behaviors.

Continuous Improvement:

Lee candidly states that the journey to fully cultivate first-world behaviors is ongoing. He mentions the need for clean public toilets to attract tourists and the efforts made to educate the public about cleanliness. Lee says they are not “there yet,” indicating a continuous effort to improve.

In this segment, Lee Kuan Yew provides valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in shifting public behavior to align with first-world standards. His account reveals a multifaceted approach that goes beyond mere infrastructural development to also include social campaigns and technological innovations.

Stance on Capital Punishment for Drug Offenses:

Lee Kuan Yew explains Singapore’s stringent laws regarding drug offenses, stating that the country has one of the highest rates of capital punishment primarily for this reason. He articulates a zero-tolerance approach, saying that drug offenders “destroy whole families” and bring about “soul-destroying” consequences. The law mandates the death penalty for anyone found with more than 10 grams of heroin.

Risks and Rewards:

Lee acknowledges that despite the harsh penalties, people still attempt to smuggle drugs into the country, motivated by the potential for large financial gains. He highlights that smugglers, including women from Africa, knowingly risk their lives to bring in drugs, emphasizing the difficulty of eliminating drug trafficking entirely.

Effectiveness of Capital Punishment:

When asked if capital punishment serves as a deterrent, Lee asserts that without it, Singapore’s role as a drug transshipment center would “quadruple or quintuple,” and internal drug consumption would increase tenfold. He justifies the extreme measure as essential for maintaining law and order in the country, which is strategically located along drug trade routes.

Judicial Process:

The discussion clarifies that in Singapore, there is no jury trial for drug offenses; a judge listens to the evidence presented and delivers the verdict. If found guilty, the punishment is death by hanging.

Question of Authoritarianism:

The transcript hints at criticisms that Lee Kuan Yew faces for his authoritarian style of governance, suggesting that while Singapore has seen remarkable growth and development under his rule, it comes at the cost of limited democracy and freedom of press. However, the segment cuts off before Lee could fully address this topic.

This segment offers insights into Lee Kuan Yew’s perspective on strict drug laws and capital punishment in Singapore. While acknowledging the criticisms regarding authoritarianism, Lee argues that extreme measures are necessary to deter serious crimes like drug trafficking, thus safeguarding the well-being of society.

Governance in Singapore:

Lee Kuan Yew emphasizes that governing Singapore involves balancing the needs of both its local and foreign populations. He touts Singapore’s high quality of life, low crime rate, and economic opportunities as factors that draw people to the city-state. He also notes that the absence of overt police or military presence contributes to a sense of security. Yew denies being an authoritarian leader, asserting that he earned his mandate through free elections.

Political Strategy and Opposition:

He discusses a unique strategy employed by opposition parties in Singapore. Knowing that the people want a government led by the People’s Action Party (PAP), opposition parties contest less than half the seats to ensure that the PAP forms the government. This strategy has proven effective, resulting in opposition wins in some seats while still keeping the PAP in power.

Press Freedom:

Yew explains his conflict with the Wall Street Journal, who he claims published inaccurate stories about the Singapore government. He emphasizes the importance of “the right of reply” and states that a truly free press would allow counterarguments to be presented. In his view, the press should report the facts, without “crusading and putting a spin on things.”

Cultural and Philosophical Differences:

Lee Kuan Yew delves into the profound differences between American and Chinese core philosophies. While Americans historically prioritize individual freedom and enterprise, Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of the family, the extended family, and the clan as social safety nets. Yew argues that Singapore would do well to maintain these traditional social structures instead of relying solely on state-based social security systems.

American vs Singaporean Experiences:

Yew acknowledges that while the American experience has been shaped by individual success stories like Bill Gates, Singapore, influenced by a different history and culture, has a different trajectory. He notes that while they are looking to foster such entrepreneurial talents, it is not at the expense of family and state bonds.

This conversation sheds light on Lee Kuan Yew’s multifaceted approach to governance, his perspective on press freedom, and the cultural foundations that inform his political philosophy.

Societal Resilience Through Historical Context:

Lee Kuan Yew emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding societal resilience. He contrasts the U.S. experience, which has not seen foreign occupation, with his own experience of living through the Japanese occupation of Singapore. According to Lee, this type of hardship leaves an indelible mark on a society’s collective psyche.

Role of Power in Human Rights:

Lee criticizes the concept of human rights as a Western construct by citing the brutalities inflicted during the Japanese occupation. He implies that the concept is often a luxury, secondary to the grim realities of power dynamics and survival.

Japanese Military Potential:

Discussing Japan’s future capabilities, Lee suggests that if cornered economically, Japan has the potential to once again become a formidable military force. He attributes this to the inherent group solidarity and cultural traits of the Japanese people.

Balance of Power in Asia:

Lee views the U.S. as a balancing force in Asia. He believes that the United States, in partnership with Japan, can counterbalance China’s power. He also suggests that neither Japan nor the United States could take on China individually and maintain a balance.

Economic Models and Toughness:

Lee discusses Japan’s industrial activities in Southeast Asia, particularly in the manufacturing sector. He expresses confidence in Japan’s economic resilience and sees their comeback as inevitable. He also highlights Japan’s group solidarity as making them tougher than other East Asian nations in terms of economic and geopolitical pursuits.

Prospects for Korean Reunification:

Lee is skeptical about the quick reunification of North and South Korea. He outlines the costs and political complexities, noting that China has a vested interest in keeping the Koreas separate as it acts as a buffer for them.

Overall, Lee Kuan Yew offers a nuanced and seasoned perspective on Asian geopolitics, based on both historical experiences and cultural traits.

Taiwan-China Relations:

Lee Kuan Yew believes that the reunification of Taiwan and China is inevitable, although he refrains from specifying a timeline. He asserts that the process might not necessarily involve military force. China could exert economic pressures or destabilize Taiwan’s economy if they feel Taiwan is distancing itself. He cites the example of Li Teng-hui, who gradually distanced Taiwan from China over a 12-year period, to make the point that China will act to stop Taiwan from going too far in asserting its independence.

Admiration for Deng Xiaoping:

Lee Kuan Yew holds Deng Xiaoping in high regard, crediting him with saving China from collapsing like the Soviet Union did. Deng abandoned traditional Marxist-Leninist economics in favor of market reforms without relinquishing political control. Lee indicates that if Mikhail Gorbachev had followed a similar path, the Soviet Union might have survived.

Trade-Offs in Deng’s Policies:

Although he admires Deng, Lee acknowledges that Deng’s economic reforms have also introduced the potential for internal conflict within China. By elevating the standard of living in the coastal provinces, Deng has created a disparity between these regions and the rest of China, leading to built-in resentments.

Transition of Power:

Lee addresses his own transition from power, contrasting his experience to that of other influential leaders like Marcos and Deng Xiaoping. While Deng died in office and Marcos did not leave willingly, Lee gave up the office of Prime Minister in 1990, distancing himself from the day-to-day responsibilities of governance. He denies wielding significant power in Singapore after stepping down, explaining that if he were still in control, he would not have the freedom to engage in activities like interviews and lectures.

The discussion covers various facets of geopolitics, economic reforms, and governance through the lens of Lee Kuan Yew’s experiences and perspectives.

Reasons for Relinquishing Power:

Lee Kuan Yew states that he stepped down from leadership while at the peak of his career, at the age of 65, after winning his last election. Unlike Deng Xiaoping, who appointed and later removed two successors, Lee allowed his cabinet to choose their own leader. This decision led to the appointment of Goh Chok Tong as his successor. Lee emphasized that it was critical for the cabinet to fully support whoever they chose.

Unpredictability of Leadership:

Lee acknowledges that the future of leadership, including that of his own son, who served as Deputy Prime Minister, is inherently uncertain. He shares a personal anecdote about his son’s diagnosis with lymphoma, underscoring the unpredictability of life and its impact on leadership succession.

Great Leaders Lee Met:

Lee cites Deng Xiaoping as the greatest leader he’s met. When asked to compare other tough leaders he’s known, he finds Indira Gandhi tougher than Margaret Thatcher. He mentions that he met Mao Zedong, but by that time Mao was already declining health-wise. He did not meet Winston Churchill but admires him greatly.

Essential Qualities of Leadership:

According to Lee, a true leader must have a “natural zest” and a genuine interest in the welfare of people beyond their immediate circle. These qualities, he suggests, cannot be learned but must be inherent to the individual.

Lee Kuan Yew offers insights on his reasons for leaving office, the complexities of leadership transition, and what he believes are the essential qualities of a great leader, all informed by his own experiences and encounters with other world leaders.

On Leadership and Decision Making:

Lee Kuan Yew talks about his reasons for stepping down from power and leaving the selection of a successor to his colleagues. He emphasizes the importance of allowing others to make such a decision to prevent repeating the mistakes of leaders like Deng Xiaoping, who appointed and then sacked two successors. On the topic of leadership qualities, Yew states that a true leader should have a natural desire to benefit others and not just themselves or their families. Trust and faithfulness are essential, as breaking faith with the public can irreversibly damage a leader’s reputation.

International Relations:

Yew comments on the diplomatic strategies of other world leaders, including Ehud Barak’s decision to go to Camp David. He believes Barak “bet on the wrong guy” by reaching out to Yasser Arafat, who was not a leader like Sadat. Yew also admires Rabin’s commitment to finding peace for future generations of Israelis, underscoring the serious potential consequences of not doing so, such as endless wars or even a Holocaust.

Science and Society:

He agrees with Henry Kissinger that science will be the most important force in the new century, noting its potential to “change the nature of the universe and the nature of our lives.” While optimistic about advancements in curing diseases and enhancing the quality of life, Yew warns of the risks associated with rapid scientific advancement. These risks include environmental destruction and the creation of deadly mutants, which can pose threats to human survival.

Wisdom Gained:

Yew’s relationship with Kissinger has spanned over 30 years, during which he learned the importance of objectivity, balance, and maintaining a global perspective on issues. The focus is on the long-term view where winning one battle does not mean the war is over.

Regret Over Malaysia’s Path:

Lee Kuan Yew expressed his greatest regret as the failure to build a strong relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. He believes that with a stronger Prime Minister in Malaysia willing to provide a more balanced approach to governance, both nations could have benefitted greatly.

Canvas of Impact:

When asked if he ever thought about what more he could have achieved in a larger country, Lee humorously considered a scenario where he and Deng Xiaoping switched places. Lee believes that while Deng would have successfully managed Singapore, he himself might not have climbed halfway up the Chinese political heap due to its complexities.

Leadership in Different Contexts:

Discussing different Chinese leaders like Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Zemin, Lee notes that while Mao imposed his will, Deng had both will and allies. Jiang, according to him, ascended mostly through luck initially, but staying at the top required real leadership skills.

Leadership Skill in Persuasion:

Lee Kuan Yew considers his strongest skill to be his ability to persuade people to undertake difficult actions for the collective good. He adds a caveat, suggesting his methods might not have worked with a Chinese population base as opposed to the “transplanted” population of Singapore.

Continuous Learning:

Lee emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, stating that the day one stops learning is the day one is “dead.” He implies that the capacity to grow and adapt is essential for any leader.

Significance of Luck and Timing:

Lee acknowledges that luck and timing are critical in leadership. For the first generation of leaders like Mao, it was sheer will, but for others, different elements like luck and skill within party dynamics play a significant role.