IPS (Institute of Policy Studies) instructed me to do two things: first, to analyse the roles and the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew and his key lieutenants; and second, to examine the trajectory of the PAP, past, present and future. So, my chapter will be Janus-faced, looking both backward and forward. The analogy is driving a car — we look ahead and anticipate the future, we also look at the rear mirror, and reflect on the past.

In many places, “politics” is almost a dirty word, often associated with a power contest for one’s personal benefit and almost always associated with corruption. Hence, not surprisingly, in many of these places, many of the most capable and committed have hesitated to come forth to serve in political service. In Singapore, politics is about governance. Governance is fundamentally about improving the lives of our people, and allowing them the best opportunities to fulfil their potential and aspirations. To enable this, we have to carry out the difficult task of building a political system and culture that will keep Singapore going, growing and glowing. Many other societies are fracturing under the stresses and strains of various forces. Some are unable to help their enterprises and workers make the necessary adjustments brought about by globalisation and technological disruptions. Others are appealing to the narrow interests of specific groups, fracturing the political centre and making difficult the need for balance and compromise. There is also political opportunism of both the extreme left and the extreme right to exploit the fears of people in a volatile and uncertain environment. In Singapore, we face a major challenge as an open society as external forces will always try to influence our choices and directions. Unlike many other countries, we do not have the geographical, historical, linguistic or cultural buffers against many of these external forces. I would like to propose three hypotheses on how Singapore can remain exceptional amidst global and local developments.