FOREWORD
The Foreward to the book was written by Dr. Henry A. Kissinger. In the foreward, Dr. Kissinger explained the new global phenomenon with the emergence of scores of new states. The central role being played by new technology “was accompanied by an implicit assumption that politics, and even cultures will become homogenized”. The long established nations of the West have fallen prey to the temptation of ignoring history and judging every new state by the criteria of their own civilization” The writer posited that “the institutions of the West did not spring full-blown from the brow of contemporaries but evolved over centuries which shaped frontiers and defined legitimacy, constitutional provisions and basic values”. The writer further stated that “the West developed gradually…”
On the contrary, the writer stated that most postcolonial states unlike the West which accomplished the task of nation building over centuries, were required to complete theirs in a decade or two and under much more complex circumstances.
The writer further stated that Singapore being the main British naval base in the Far East neither had prospect nor aspiration for nationhood until the collapse of European power in the aftermath of the Second World War. He traced the path to Singapore nationhood first as part of Malaya and later unceremoniously was “extruded” from it.
The writer explained that the emergence of Singapore as a national state under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew is a clear demonstration that personality shapes event more than circumstances.
The writer pointed out the disadvantaged position of Singapore been the smallest country in the Southeast Asia. He wrote ” Singapore seemed destined to become a client state of more powerful neighbours, if indeed it could preserve its independence at all”. Lee Kuan Tew not only thought otherwise but pursued the belief that “Every great achievement is a dream before it becomes a reality, and his vision was of a state that would not simply survive but prevail by excelling. Superior intelligence, discipline and ingenuity would substitute for resources”
Lee Kuan Yew mobilized his compatriots to a duty they have never previously perceived.
Dr. Kissinger finally testified that Singapore had grown its annual per capita income from less than $1000 at the time of independence to nearly $30,000 by 2000 under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. This is aside being the high-tech leader of Southeast Asia, commercial entrepot, scientific centre and also playing a major role in the politics and economics of Southeast Asia and beyond. Lee Kuan Yew was noted for his frank analysis of the difference between the individualism of the West and the priority for social cohesion in countries such as his and in much of Asia maintaining that the West should refrain from imposing their views and patterns of lifestyle on societies with different histories and necessities”. While he was subjected to considerable criticism in the West, Dr. Kissinger opined that ” Those of us who prize our values while understanding the complexities of a new country in a different culture are prepared to leave it to history to pass judgment as to whether there were other options available to him”.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THIS FOREWORD
- Countries are developed by the vision of one man or group of persons spear-headed by one man and change must be seen to trickle down from leaders to the led.
- Every country must identify and chart its path to development and greatness based on its culture, people and values.
- Most Western countries though took centuries to develop, circumstances have demanded after the postcolonial era that newer states must accomplish their development in decades and under much more complex circumstances.
- The West including the colonial masters may not understand the peculiarities of our countries.
- Obstacles and distractions are normal occurrences in the course of nation building.
- Superior intelligence, discipline and ingenuity are essential for development and will substitute for resources.
- Everything is possible and every great achievement starts with a dream before it become a reality.
- Cohesion among the people is sine-qua non for galvanizing the people for nation building and the leadership cannot afford to be sectional in nation building.
- Posterity will always be there to confer verdict on leaders and their leadership qualities and results.
Notes to be taken
i. Many words and sentences were taken from the book in order to clearly communicate what authors are saying. As much possible most of the borrowed words and sentences are in italics and quotes.
ii. Some of the lessons were coincidentally discussed in my book ” Who Says Government Has No Business in Business”- Chapter 4- Charting Our Path to Development.
Comments and contributions are welcomed. Watch out for the next discussion on the Preface by Lee Kuan Yew
