Just got a video recommendation about him defending the death penalty for drug traffickers and I remembered all the western propaganda about him being "le great man" who singlehandedly raised Singapore out of poverty or some shit.

  • GaveUp [she/her]
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    edit-2
    2 years ago

    Singapore being one of the busiest ports for China due to geography while being such a tiny country with such a low population makes it incredibly easy to become wealthy

    • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Its really obvious when you think about it

      Its literally on the shortest sea route from India to China

        • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
          ·
          2 years ago

          It wasnt that poor compared to the rest of the colonies tbh and it had all those natural advantages that we talked about

            • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
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              2 years ago

              i was exaggerating, but im just sick of this whole 3rd world to 1st world myth, it would not have been possible without its strategic position

                  • CTHlurker [he/him]
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                    2 years ago

                    Whats his deal anyway? I keep getting him recommended and he seems like a stock standard "Geopolitics expert" that talks about the amazing advantages that the investments in Ukraine have for the US (making russia lose soldiers and material without committing any american troops) while ignoring the fact that the war is a bloodbath for the Ukrainians. Also he talks like a spook so I guess thats part of why he seems like a bloodless freak.

                    • Golabki [comrade/them,undecided]
                      ·
                      2 years ago

                      He’s a dumbass grifter who uses geographical determinism and sophistry to tell chuds what they want to hear.

                • Tankiedesantski [he/him]
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                  2 years ago

                  but there is more to history than like… geographical determinism.

                  AKSHULLY, according to Guns, Germs, and Steel...

  • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
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    2 years ago

    Its simple, Singapore was "chosen" to be "prosperous" because that serves the interest of global capital the best

    No real natural resources so no need for resource extraction

    Good port, ideal for a trade and finance hub

    Very little to do with people running it

    Same as Hong Kong

  • FuckyWucky [none/use name]
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    edit-2
    2 years ago

    They're like super dependent on cheap labor from Malaysia and other SEA countries. Also a great place to setup shell companies for tax evasion.

  • Alaskaball [comrade/them]A
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    edit-2
    2 years ago

    I don't really know much about him or Singapore outside of some cursory reading on wiki about the state, history, and economic data of the micro-country, because an animator/comic maker that I like (RandoWis) mentioned that he was doing another forced stint in their military reserve, and how every Singaporean has to serve in active duty like occupied Korea, and also having a forced 10 year stint in the reserves.

    My conclusion on the cursory examination is that it's a capitalist taxhaven hellhole that's like Dubai, and :biden-troll: New Jersey rolled together. It's one of the most wealthy nations in ASEAN, and has a disgusting level of wealth inequality. It prides itself on being one of the most free places on earth for corporations, yet its government is strong (and smart enough) to utilize its taxes to build an intricate welfare state to keep the poor Singaporeans above water.

    Knowledge on the country is well out of my depths, so anyone else either from there or studied the region would know more

    • budotsboiler [none/use name]
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      edit-2
      2 years ago

      Singapore is dependent on migrant labor to run most of their economy.

      Matapobre people.

      Don't let the corruption rate fool you. Streetfighting with swords a-waving in the streets and gang organizing is rampant in the underground, with the police not doing anything to stop it.

      They only have an iron grip against migrant workers.

      They also make shitty films unlike the rest of their neighbors

      • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
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        edit-2
        2 years ago

        Don’t let the corruption rate fool you. Streetfighting with swords a-waving in the streets and gang organizing is rampant in the underground, with the police not doing anything to stop it.

        I've never heard of anything like that

        I mean theres probably loads of shit with like human trafficking and prostitution, which the authorities definitely do pretend doesnt exist but like open gang fights are just asking for arrests

        Like its a country the size of NYC and literally ringed by CCTVs

          • CliffordBigRedDog [he/him]
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            2 years ago

            is it "geographical determinism" to say that its harder to get away with shit in a small ass country?

            • budotsboiler [none/use name]
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              edit-2
              2 years ago

              Singapore shouldn't even exist.

              Your points are right abt. geographical advantages, but it isn't the only factor, nor even the main factor itself.

      • SuperNovaCouchGuy2 [any]
        hexagon
        ·
        2 years ago

        Ah one of the the oldest sigma male rules: "To make a capitalist economy you need to break some eggs, and by eggs I mean slaves." #grustle #grindset

    • ElGosso [he/him]
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      2 years ago

      New Jersey isn't that bad of a corporate tax haven, Delaware is the big one