From Third World To First- Lee Kuan Yew

No matter how much anyone claims the global system to be fair for all, it still remains true to mother nature. The bigger fish always has a bigger sway than the smaller ones. The smaller fish always fears for its life, the smaller nation always fears for its right to be vetoed by the bigger ones. In a situation far more hostile, Singapore became an example. The way with which its people and its government were able to fend off external pressures and fears to thrive and retain its sovereignty will certainly be one for the history books. 


It is with considerable luck that we are able to read the insights of Lee Kwan Yew the prominent leader of the nation from its founding to the 1990s. A leader who will undoubtedly continue to influence the younger generation not only in his own country but far from the oceans even its sailors will reach.


The book provides the experiences and insights of Lee during various historical events that took place during his tenure. As such it is a gold mine for anyone interested, on what goes on behind closed doors. But it is tremendously important for the reader to remember that Lee was a politician as such all his publications will willingly or not be influenced by his political views. All writers will be victims of their political views during writing but you must excuse me when I say that perhaps a politician will be more prone to it than others. Lee also mentions that he had filtered some publications before so as to not offend anyone or disclose any sensitive state information. So it should be within the boundary of reason to conclude a similar approach to have been taken in this book.


All his experiences were fun to read, and felt like a grandpa talking about his tales to his grandkids. Only that the grandpa was the prime minister of a struggling nation and had notes of most of his experiences so was able to deliberate it in fine details. As such I find it unfruitful to talk about the events itself, I believe one will find it more fun to go through it oneself. Instead I will talk about some few points I especially loved in the book.. 


“If we approach Asian problems of poverty and underdevelopment through the rosy spectacles of western European societies we are doomed to fail.” 

A point he makes to justify capital punishments and punishments such as flagging. I do not agree that we must allow capital punishment ( I do not find it reasonable for anyone being able to have the authority to take anyone’s life away no matter how cruel the crime be, I do not see the fear of life as a successful deterrent. Not to mention the moral cost of a wrong prosecution is too high )  however I must agree that the Asian society must require stricter enforcement and punishment such as flagging to deter criminals. 


His son Loong says- “I would prefer to be doing things and perhaps be cursed by other people than have to curse on someone else and not be able to do anything”

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