One has to wonder at the vitriolic commentary being directed at Singapore by associates of
Yale University in recent times. While it is common knowledge there is an academic faction that believes a campus of their ivy league institution should never have been established in Singapore, more moderate and balanced individuals can see the benefits to both parties.
The
latest attack is an attempt to try and shift the blame of the latest Arab-Israeli war on Singapore! The aptly named
Jim Sleeper attempts to link recent survey results that found that Israel was world's most and Singapore the second-most, with the current spat between the two Middle East neighbours.
And for good measure he also insinuates that as both Israel and Singapore are 'non-Muslim' countries there is some form of joint agenda or perspective. Clearly he has never lived in Singapore nor appreciated the efforts that the country makes to assimilate its cultures and give all races and ethnicities a fair chance at succeeding in life.
To label, as the writer does, Chinese Singaporeans as the "Jews of
South East Asia" and fire a cheap shot labeling
Lee Kuan Yew as a "virtual dictator"aptly demonstrates the personal bias of the article but it is not until we get to the later paragraphs do we fully appreciate that this is indeed another sniping at Yale's association with Singapore. "
Can any liberal democracy ever hope to flourish while pacing a gilded but iron cage?"
What is so wonderful about the "liberal democracy" that this Yale academic is so hell bent on defending?
Why is it I wonder that I saw US Vets and mental release patients scavenging in rubbish bins on the streets of San Francisco and I never experienced the same in Singapore? Why is the USA is the economic doggy-doos and Singapore remains economically buoyant?
Perhaps the much vaunted 'liberal democracy' is not all that it is cracked up to be by political scientists such as Sleeper.
And yes, Singapore did seek the advice of the Israeli military when it set up its own forces after the British departed, but this is hardly a crime. Faced with very real threats from Indonesia and communist insurgencies there was an urgency to depend the fledgling nation and who could blame them for that.
I personally wish Yale in Singapore every success as it will be mutually beneficial to both, just as it has been for other universities who have forged strong bonds with the country.
