Abstract
The Singapore political, social, economic system was fashioned in response to the existential challenges arising from sudden independence and a profoundly resource-challenged situation of a city-state seeking to ensure its viability. It eschewed the liberal democratic model promoted by Britain and the West. Instead Singapore sets out to establish a model that works for it, delivering social change and a better life for its people, albeit with constraints on liberty. Today, as the liberal democratic model of government is seriously under review for effectiveness, the Singapore model is better appreciated.