Economics of Modernization

To many developing countries of the Third World, modernisation is essentially a vital strategy against centuries of poverty. For success to be achieved, the ethos of the traditional society and the old order must give way to new beliefs and values, which stress efficiency, law and order, merit through achievement, and a strong effective government able to put through difficult, unpopular, but necessary measures. This is the orientation and at the same time the unifying thread of the present collection of speeches by an economist who had borne prime responsibility for Singapore's economic policies through its evolution from colony to republic. Dr. Goh Keng Swee's speeches were made over the period 1959-71, a climacteric in the history of not only Singapore, but also the developing countries of Asia. Singapore's experience, despite its unique circumstances, may provide useful pointers to others. The title of this book notwithstanding, the speeches also deal with sociological, political, defence and other topics. Reflecting the prevalent issues then, these essays are an invaluable record not only of Singapore's progress towards a total, viable statehood, but also of the problems faced by developing countries in the 1960s. This re-issue is part of the Singapore Economics History Collection and features a new Foreword by Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon of Nanyang Technological University.Swee, Goh Keng is the author of 'Economics of Modernization', published 2004 under ISBN 9789812103307 and ISBN 9812103309.