The Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

“The Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000“ is a book by former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, which tells the story of Singapore’s transformation from a third world country to a first world one in just 35 years.

The book covers various topics such as Singapore’s history, its economic development, its social policies, and its foreign relations. Lee Kuan Yew discusses the challenges that Singapore faced during this period, including issues related to housing, education, and healthcare, and how his government tackled these challenges to bring about the country’s rapid development.

One of the main themes of the book is the importance of good governance and strong leadership in driving economic growth and development. Lee Kuan Yew writes about the key decisions and policies that his government implemented to achieve this, including the establishment of a merit-based civil service, the promotion of foreign investment, and the development of a highly educated and skilled workforce.

Overall, “The Third World to First” is a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in the history and development of Singapore, or in the broader issues of economic development and good governance. It provides a unique and valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities that countries face in their journey towards prosperity, and is a must-read for anyone looking to learn from the successes and experiences of others.

Here are a few key lessons that can be drawn from “The Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000”:

1. Good governance is critical for economic development: Lee Kuan Yew stresses the importance of strong and effective leadership in driving Singapore’s rapid economic development. He writes about the steps his government took to establish a merit-based civil service and promote transparency and accountability in decision-making.
2. Education is a key driver of economic growth: Lee Kuan Yew emphasizes the importance of education in building a skilled and competitive workforce. He writes about the investments his government made in education, including the establishment of top-ranked universities and technical institutes, which played a key role in Singapore’s economic success.
3. Foreign investment can be a powerful engine of growth: Lee Kuan Yew writes about the role that foreign investment played in Singapore’s economic development, and how his government worked to create a favorable business environment that attracted international companies.
4. Social policies are an important factor in development: Lee Kuan Yew discusses the social policies his government implemented to address issues such as housing, healthcare, and education, and how these policies helped to improve the lives of Singaporeans and contribute to the country’s overall development.
5. Strong relationships with other countries are important: Lee Kuan Yew writes about the importance of maintaining good relations with other countries, both in terms of economic development and political stability. He discusses the steps his government took to build strong partnerships with other nations and how this helped to support Singapore’s growth.

There is is no specific chapter about India written by Lee Kuan Yew but he was also critical of India’s economic policies and the slow pace of its development. In the same speech, he said: “India has not yet realized its full potential. It has not been able to translate its impressive human and natural resources into economic growth and social development at the same rate as the East Asian tigers, including Singapore.”

Here is an old interview in which he speaks about India’s potential and challenges.

Buy this book here on Amazon.