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. |
Contents
The battle for sovereignty | 43 |
Accommodating and transcending regional locale | 68 |
Singapore and the powers | 98 |
Driving and suffering the region? | 131 |
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Common terms and phrases
able advantage Affairs agreement ASEAN Asian Association attempt August balance of power become bilateral Cambodian China Chinese circumstances close concern Confrontation continued cooperation countries culture defence demonstrated despite diplomatic domestic early East economic effect engaged especially established event example experience expressed Federation forces Foreign Minister foreign policy head identity important independence indicated Indonesia influence initiative interests island island-state issue Jakarta July Kuala Lumpur leaders Lee Kuan Yew limited major Malay Malaysia March matter meeting military Ministry Moreover multilateral neighbours never official political position practice presence President Press Prime Minister regional registered relations relationship represented Republic respect response role sense separation served Singapore Singapore's Singapore's foreign South-East Asia sovereignty Soviet standing status Straits strategic success sustained tensions trade underlying Union United Nations Vietnam vulnerability