Discussion On The Path Of Political Development In Singapore And Its Implications For China

Political Development issue which means updating the political status from junior to senior is an eternal question between policy makers and scholars. Since modernization is a universal appeal of most developing countries, China has its own understanding from its political philosophy which considering the stability as the basis of modernization, reform as the tool, while development as the key. Singapore had realized its modernization goal with less than three decades after independence from Malaya in1965, and made many remarkable achievements in fields such as economic development, maintaining stability, social management and anti-corruption governance.Although the path of political development are different from each countries, it can be considered as the debate between the native model and the Western model. As the bipolar in a pedigree, neither of a pure one could complete the development mission while they have to suit themselves to the reality. Singapore’s experiences are both ideas and actions, it gives us a successful treament of this contradiction. This article might discuss this issue from four views. The success of Singapore primarily due to its unique political development which is quite different from the long process of democratic development in Europe and also other Southeast Asian countries’pattern. It stimulated strong interests among economists, academics and govenors therefore they call it "Singapore Paradox". This article takes the view from the path of Singaporean political development, try to conclude the experience behind Singapore’s success and finally make several implications for China.