A Research On The Pragmatic Policies Of People's Action Party In Singapore

Singapore witnessed a rapid economic and social development after the World War II, while publicly recognized and even followed by many countries, especially developing countries, its model was criticized by some scholars, such as Amartya Sen.This article tries to uncovers the strongly pragmatic quality in Singapore's developmental practice under the leadership of People's Action Party (PAP), and to explore its origin,practices, influences and responses triggered. The author argues that the ideological theory of pragmatism held by PAP was the result of the unfavorable situation faced by Singapore after war, and was influenced by Lee Kuan Yew's personality and values deep inside. The pragmatic practice by Singapore government is a kind of comprehensive social engineering, under which the priority of economic growth was emphasized, and other parts of the society, such as culture, education and political participation, are deemed subordinate and should be sacrificed for the sake of this priority whenever it is necessary. This article argues that this pragmatic practice is a kind of lopsided development view and is detrimental to the expansion of freedom. The resistance of Singapore society since 1980s reflected the dark side of PAP's pragmatic practice and foreshadowed its decadency.