Hard Choices Quotes

“While an authoritarian state may have been fast for decision making, resource mobilisation and, nation building in the 1960s to the 1980s, Singapore's future success will depend on its ability to adapt and respond to a multitude of complex new challenges. This adaptability is best fostered by a properly functioning democracy that, by its very nature, promotes diversity and competition of ideas.

Even though a growing number of Singaporeans share this liberal view of democracy's imperative, there are many others in the country who at best, are unconvinced, and worst, believe democratic liberalisation will spell the end of the Singapore fairy tale. The contestation between these two groups will determine the future of Singapore's democracy. [Sudhir Vadaketh]”
― Donald Low, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus

“While an authoritarian state may have been fast for decision making, resource mobilisation and, nation building in the 1960s to the 1980s, Singapore's future success will depend on its ability to adapt and respond to a multitude of complex new challenges. This adaptability is best fostered by a properly functioning democracy that, by its very nature, promotes diversity and competition of ideas.

Even though a growing number of Singaporeans share this liberal view of democracy's imperative, there are many others in the country who at best, are unconvinced, and worst, believe democratic liberalisation will spell the end of the Singapore fairy tale. The contestation between these two groups will determine the future of Singapore's democracy.”
― Donald Low, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus

“In Singapore, migration is not about ideals or dreams or what the country stands for. In Singapore, the impetus is often purely transactional—including lower tax rates, safer streets, and the ability to invest in property.”
― Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus

“The ones with the most generous social provisions are the northern European countries: Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. These are export-oriented, surplus economies with sound fiscal balances and strong social safety nets. The claim that Europe’s fiscal mess is the result of overly generous social welfare systems simply cannot be substantiated.”
― Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus

“Singaporeans know who we are supposed to be, but have not been given much of a chance to say who we want to be.”
― Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, Hard Choices: Challenging the Singapore Consensus