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Quote by Judith Huang

“The problem is, we really are an island. And the truth is, we really have been marooned. And to compound it all, that old myth is true: we really are sinking, just not in the way we've always been led to believe.”

Quote by Judith Huang

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Sofia and the Utopia Machine

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Judith Huang

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“Americans, particularly in a group, are often perceived overseas as loud, even crass. Perhaps they simply have no worries about being overheard. For them, the basic assumption is that nothing you say will offend anyone. We Asians think that opening our mouths always risks offending somebody. Both sides are in danger of being misunderstood as a consequence.”

“This “vulnerability” has been ideologically harnessed to generate a string of political consequences: fear of becoming irrelevant to the global market, thus constantly in search of niches of opportunities for economic growth; fear of fragmentation, thus an insistence on tight social control to ensure social cohesion; fear of political polarization by different political parties with different ideologies that might jeopardize national development, thus an emphasis on the administrative advantages of a one-party dominant government.”

“a generalized anxiety about the long-term viability of the social, economic and political foundation of the island-nation has been transformed into a set of ideological justifications for and instrumental practices of tight social and political control, which taken together constitutes the authoritarianism of the regime.”

“In this regard, we should never overlook the importance of being economically successful and militarily secure. Diplomacy is not a single-barrelled gun. While we should always uphold the principle of settling disputes peacefully through diplomacy and rule of law, we need to be mindful that in practice, the extent to which disputing parties are willing to come to the table depends on larger considerations including where they stand economically and militarily in relation to each other.”

“Once," Fran says, settling against the worktable, folding her arms, "I knew this kid who very bravely and bossily came out of the closet when she was only fourteen years old. She told me then that we can't choose who we love. We just love the people we love, no mattter what anyone else might want for us. Wasn't that you?”

“This will pose a serious dilemma for the PAP; the more unprepared the Opposition is to administer Singapore, the more likely the PAP will remain in power. However, as one-party dominant states do not last for too long, and simply waiting for the PAP to fracture and for one faction to lead the Opposition to capture power, or worse still, what if the PAP is suddenly voted out of power, the harm to Singapore could be irreparable. Would it not be a duty and obligation for the one-party dominant state to also think of Singapore and its interests to prepare an alternative government that will continue administering the Republic in the best interest of its people?”

“In short, a one-party dominant state can advantage a polity. It can bring about stability through continuity of leadership and policies. This can enhance the predictability of government and its policies, thereby contributing to long-term goals. Such a state would be able to organise relevant groups through co-option and if this fails, through coercion. Such states can undertake effective mobilisation of its people and successfully maintain diversity. One-party dominant states are also adept in pursuing long-term based strategies, policies and objectives that can result in the development of strong economies as happened in Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.”