[First drafted June 2024]
This video looked at how Singapore succeeded (AltSimplified).
It broadly (and at times superficially) touches on Government Policies, Housing, National Wages Council, Singapore as a Transshipment hub, Petroleum refinement, Sovereign Wealth Funds, among the factors for Singapore's success.
3 August 2026 (first drafted)
UBS (The Europe-based bank) has this table (2025 figures/estimates):
From the table, on the basis of Average Wealth, the US has the second wealthiest adults, just below Switzerland.
Singapore is 6th, based on Average wealth.
But... But... But...
Haven't we been TOLD that we are practically the WEALTHIEST country or close to the WEALTHIEST, and that Singapore is Wealthier than the US and the UK?
You must mean the IMF figures for GDP per Capita based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)?
Yes. That shows Singapore as number 2 or 3. (See Table below.)
Except...
That's the figure for GDP per Capita (PPP).
But... that's the same as "wealth" right?
As this Youtube video explains, no, GDP per Capita is NOT the same as income or wealth, and Average wealth in a country is NOT the same as Median wealth in a country.
As the video explains, Average wealth can be skewed by many millionaires and billionaires in the population. They would pull up the average.
Median wealth measures the value at the 50th percentile of the population.
This is a question, and my answer for non-Singapore citizens (or residents) considering retiring to Singapore.
Singapore has no oil resources as in we do not have oil fields to drill for oil.
But Singapore is a Petro-Giant.
How Singapore became a Petro-giant (Asianometry)
Video: Ex-Brit tells the Truth about Singapore's Politician
Every General Election is for the People's Action Party (PAP) to lose, not for the opposition to win.
Because, the majority of Singaporeans are generally content with the status quo (PAP in power) and are not voting for an overthrow of the PAP govt.
The People's Action Party (PAP) has been the dominant political party in Singapore since the country gained independence in 1965. However, like any political party, there are several factors and scenarios that could lead to the PAP losing a general election in Singapore. Here are some key factors that could contribute to such an outcome:
Economic Downturn: A significant economic downturn or recession could lead to voter dissatisfaction with the PAP, as they have long been associated with Singapore's economic success. If the economy falters, voters may be more inclined to consider alternative parties.
Video: Why China will NOT be the next Japan (Rise of Asia):
Video argues that China is NOT facing the "lost decades" of Japan in the 1990s
Chapters:0:00 China Will Not Become Like Japan1:15 Modern-Day China is Not 1990 Japan2:50 Aging Population: A Ticking Timebomb?5:49 The Truth Behind the Fall of Japan10:07 Conclusion
[Addendum 11/6/20025: China's coming collapse.]
GE2025 results
6 May 2025
The question Singaporeans are asking is, "will the PAP ever lose control of Singapore?"
The PAP has had over 60 years of learning how to "hold onto power". Rightfully, and with (what some might call), "questionable" tactics and strategy.
In GE 2011, I was rooting for more opposition. Though I did not vote for the opposition. Because the opposition candidate standing in my ward, was kinda meh. WP was not in my ward.
It is often quoted that a young person who is not a liberal (or progressive) has no heart. And an older person who is not a conservative, has no head (brains).
The Singapore version of this, if one exists is that a young voter who is not pro-opposition (or anti-PAP) has no heart. And an old voter who is not pro-PAP has no head.
Video: Fareed's Take: Trump's Revolution in foreign policy
Fareed summarises Trump's turnarounds in foreign policy - putting up trade barriers, antagonising allies, and cosying up to enemies for about 2 minutes.
What is interesting is that he starts by quoting Singapore's Ministers, that the US has "changed from Liberator, to Great Disruptor, to a landlord seeking rent", and "The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable."
So after pressure from Democratic leaders and when presented with polling results that strongly suggests that he had no "path to victory", Joe Biden suspended his campaign and endorse his VP, Kamala Harris as the Democratic Candidate for President in the 2024 election.
Contrast this to Trump's attempt to cling onto power after the 2020 election, and claimed that the election was fraudulent, and that the Presidency was stolen from him, and instigating a mob to storm the Capital on Jan 6, 2021.
Biden addresses his decision to suspend his bid for re-election.
The video above points out that while globally, the world has gotten rich in the last 2 centuries, the wealth is not equally distributed. And that 6.7 billion people still live on $30 or less. Why?
At 3:16, the video provides an answer: Freedom. The freer the country, the richer the people are able to be.
At 6:35, Singapore is highlighted.
Singaporeans know this story.
How Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore in 1978, saw how a predominantly Chinese society could be rich even as it is governed strictly, and saw in Singapore, the future of China.
So Singapore has her 4th Prime Minister.
And the only people who commented on it was.. foreigners? Foreign press?
