Much of Singapore’s success, however, is admittedly derived from its strategically important geography; a point which is openly acknowledged by Singaporean political leadership. So long as Singapore, its government and people, remain capable of taking full advantage of this strategic geography in the age of globalisation, Singapore is expected to continue prospering as a centre of the global economy in the new century.
Still, there is no telling where history is going to take Singapore next.. In history, nations come and go. Yet Singapore can take a leaf from history. A classic precedent is that of Carthage. Morimoto Tetsuro, author of the thought-provoking Aru Tsuushoukokka No Koubou [The rise and fall of a trading country], argues that Carthage was an economic superpower blessed by its geography, the most advanced shipbuilding and manufacturing technology and overseas trade but cursed by an obvious lack of democracy and the values of leisure and art. He also holds up Athens as a successful example of an enduring state culture. Indeed, the period from 510 to 404 BC saw a blossoming of writers, historians, political thinkers, philosophers, scientists and mathematicians in Athens.
Karl Popper, in Lessons of This Century, contends that this cultural miracle of fifth-century Athens was the result of the emergence of a free market in books. Yet what created the strong market demand for books was Athenian participatory democracy. As Tung also points out, ‘a series of ordinances enabled the widest participation of Athenians in the life of their city.’ Under these ordinances, the civic obligations of Athenians included serving as volunteer military personnel, civil administrators and judges, taking part in theatrical and athletic competitions, making laws and voting in general meetings to decide public policy. They all had to be physically fit, literate and learned to carry out these duties.
Although there were no more than 40,000 citizens out of 150,000 free people, the city-state created a myriad of brilliant and profound ideas. The history of the Roman Empire and Western civilisation have been constructed and reconstructed upon this enduring Athenian cultural capital. Culturally speaking, Athens is immortal as the cradle of Western civilisation.
Which path of history has Singapore taken in the last few decades? There is no denying that Singapore has been repeating the successful formula of Carthage, and has emerged as a regional economic powerhouse in the past decades. But this spectacular material success has come at a cost. The measurement of state success in financial terms has led to a dearth of cultural capital.
In recent years, however, while still measuring state success in terms of material profitability, Singapore seems to have awakened to the value of building cultural capital, with which it can create state identity and international recognition.
Yet, Singapore continues to primarily value ‘creative economy’ – cultural products that can be translated into profitable industries. In a sense, the Singaporean mindset remains characteristic of the basic economic principles exemplified by the Carthaginian example. Singapore’s attempted reinvention as a ‘Renaissance City’ is certainly encouraging, and it is undoubtedly heartening news that Singapore has allowed interaction between performers and bystanders in public spaces and bartop dancing in the interests of cultivating freedom of expression.
The key to sparking the emergence of a Singaporean cultural miracle is to translate a long promised participatory democracy into reality to empower the people to achieve the ideals of classical Greek humanism. Nothing less will endure the tides of time.
Wang Tai Peng is a poet, journalist and commentator resident in Vancouver.