The China History Podcast · Laszlo Montgomery
Ep. 357 | The History of Singapore (Part 9)
·42 min·1 clip
A Dutch economist named Winsemius mapped Singapore's entire path from Third World to First World in 1961—and they followed it perfectly.
As heard by us
Singapore's independence comes through as a story of economic improvisation, military preparation, and tightening political control.
Singapore's independence is treated less as a victory lap than as a risky first step. After the failed union with Malaysia ended on August 9, 1965, the new state had to navigate inflammatory rhetoric, pressure around the Johor water supply, Malaysian troops still on the island,…
Why you'd press play
You get Singapore's uneasy first steps after separation from Malaysia, then the state-building work that helped the new country stand on its own.
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