In the first episode of our newly launched podcast series, “Policy Unpacked”, we explore Singapore’s “small nation, big journey,” featuring Terence Ho, Adjunct Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and author of “How Singapore Beat the Odds.” The conversation explores why Singapore’s survival was uncertain at independence - small population, high unemployment, reliance on British bases - and how it built success through ideas and institutions rather than luck. Ho highlights the pivotal role of first-generation leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee, long-term planning, strong inter-agency coordination, and empowering capable people - principals, commanders, and civil servants - through mechanisms like block budgeting.

A core theme is Singapore’s pragmatic synthesis: drawing from both left and right (compassion and self-reliance), combining market forces with judicious state intervention, and adapting global best practices to local context. Policy evolution, such as shifting from streaming to subject-based banding, illustrates continuous recalibration to reduce stigma while keeping standards. The civil service complements political leadership as “intellectual equals,” increasingly communicating policies publicly, while tripartism builds trust and buy-in, countering the misconception of a purely top-down technocracy.

Associate Prof Ho outlines enduring tensions Singapore must balance: growth and equity, global openness and local identity, development and heritage. Looking ahead, he sees new “odds” in a fractured global trading system and disruptive AI, arguing for an updated success formula that layers resilience (domestic capabilities, local core) atop openness and investment in human capital. He is cautiously optimistic, citing strong institutions, societal trust, adaptability shown in COVID-19, and purposeful youth. His overarching takeaway: values - service, integrity, and evolving meritocracy - anchor Singapore’s policy playbook and continue to guide its inclusive, pragmatic path.

In the first episode of our newly launched podcast series, &ldquo;Policy Unpacked&rdquo;, we explore Singapore&rsquo;s &ldquo;small nation, big journey,&rdquo; featuring Terence Ho, Adjunct Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and author of &ldquo;How Singapore Beat the Odds.&rdquo; The conversation explores why Singapore&rsquo;s survival was uncertain at independence - small population, high unemployment, reliance on British bases - and how it built success through ideas and institutions rather than luck. Ho highlights the pivotal role of first-generation leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee, long-term planning, strong inter-agency coordination, and empowering capable people - principals, commanders, and civil servants - through mechanisms like block budgeting.
A core theme is Singapore&rsquo;s pragmatic synthesis: drawing from both left and right (compassion and self-reliance), combining market forces with judicious state intervention, and adapting global best practices to local context. Policy evolution, such as shifting from streaming to subject-based banding, illustrates continuous recalibration to reduce stigma while keeping standards. The civil service complements political leadership as &ldquo;intellectual equals,&rdquo; increasingly communicating policies publicly, while tripartism builds trust and buy-in, countering the misconception of a purely top-down technocracy.
Associate Prof Ho outlines enduring tensions Singapore must balance: growth and equity, global openness and local identity, development and heritage. Looking ahead, he sees new &ldquo;odds&rdquo; in a fractured global trading system and disruptive AI, arguing for an updated success formula that layers resilience (domestic capabilities, local core) atop openness and investment in human capital. He is cautiously optimistic, citing strong institutions, societal trust, adaptability shown in COVID-19, and purposeful youth. His overarching takeaway: values - service, integrity, and evolving meritocracy - anchor Singapore&rsquo;s policy playbook and continue to guide its inclusive, pragmatic path.

Foreseeable is a podcast of Global-is-Asian, the flagship digital platform of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. In each episode, we invite an expert for a conversation relating to their area of expertise and to find out what they foresee happening in the future.

Listen to us on:
Spotify
Apple podcasts
Google podcasts

Foreseeable is a podcast of <a href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia">Global-is-Asian</a>, the flagship digital platform of the <a href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/">Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy</a>. In each episode, we invite an expert for a conversation relating to their area of expertise and to find out what they foresee happening in the future.
Listen to us on:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3mbDpHMPlnHguLjRLqblhd">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foreseeable-a-podcast-series-by-global-is-asian/id1489689191">Apple podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/?q=foreseeable%20podcast">Google podcasts</a></li>
</ul>

Foreseeable is podcast series from Global-is-Asian, the flagship digital platform of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Hear from thought leaders on future challenges and opportunities they foresee in areas ranging from international relations, climate change, social and cultural issues and more.

Foreseeable: A Podcast Series by Global-is-Asian

Policy Unpacked is a production of Global-is-Asian, the flagship digital platform of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Each episode we invite one of the school’s public policy experts for a conversation relating to their area of expertise, and listen to them unpack about policy and trends in the world.

Policy Unpacked is a production of <a href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia">Global-is-Asian</a>, the flagship digital platform of Singapore&rsquo;s <a href="https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/">Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy</a>. Each episode we invite one of the school&rsquo;s public policy experts for a conversation relating to their area of expertise, and listen to them unpack about policy and trends in the world.

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