Singapore's Foreign Policy: Coping with VulnerabilityIn the years following its traumatic separation from Malaysia, Singapore has risen to become one of the leading economic powers in Southeast Asia. This economic strength has carried it through the recent East Asian economic crisis, as well as providing the resources for an excellent defence capability. Singapore's diplomatic achievements include relationships with countries across Asia and Europe, and ensure its interantional status, Yet, despite this success, Singapore's foreign policy has continued to be influenced by a deep seated sence of its own vulnerability. Politicians from the first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, onwards have focused on Singapore's limited physical size, potential domestic and international frailty due to racial tension and confirmed geographical location. These factors have combined to create a powerful nation-state which has never allowed itself to take its sovereign status for granted. Singapore's Foreign Policy is the first full-length English-language study of this subject and is an essential resource for all those interested in Singapore's international role. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
agreement albeit ASEAN Regional Forum Asia-Pacific Asian August balance of power Beijing Cambodian conflict causeway Chan Heng Chee China Chinese circumstances close neighbours Cold War communist Confrontation cope countervailing culture defence cooperation demonstrated despite diplomatic domestic Dr Mahathir East Timor engagement entrepĂ´t established ethnic-Chinese Federation Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister geopolitical global Goh Chok Tong Goh Keng Swee initiative innate vulnerability island island-state island-state's issue Jakarta Japan Johor Kuala Lumpur Lee Kuan Yew Malay Malaysia and Indonesia military presence Minister Goh Chok Minister Lee Kuan Ministry of Foreign Moreover Non-Aligned political practice President Suharto Prime Minister Goh Rajaratnam regional economic adversity regional locale regional partners registered relations relationship with Malaysia Republic's role Senior Minister separation served Singapore Singapore's foreign policy Singapore's government Singapore's interests South-East Asia sovereignty Soviet Union Straits strategic Suharto sustained Taiwan tensions trade underlying United Nations Vietnam Yew's