Originally posted by MohamedF:
Singapore can be a nation but it lacks the glue that binds people together.
(1) We are seperated by less than a meter thick concret to our neighbours and it might as well be the berlin wall. Yet, we are closer to people online.
(2) I guess we don't have that big a Singapore spirit. Ask yourself this, if Singapore is to be invaded, will you stay and fight or cut your losses and go to johor.
(3) I would like to bet that we got more foreigners than locals here.
If invaded - that already is too late.
Hypothetically speaking, a more aggressive foreign policy is more helpful in Singapore's (actually Singaporeans') context.
If southern neighbour is having internal problems, ie, weak, and northern neighbour threatens water cut - immediate mobilization, Singapore expeditionary force --- hard, fast, no stone unturn, no building standing, no grass unburnt, they never existed.
Change National doctrine to manifest destiny ie, Singapore's destiny is to unify and rule the region.
Change constitution allowing citizens right to bear arms.
Allow private Singaporean companies with large vested commercial interests to employ and deploy armed Singaporeans quickly to maintain their commercial interests in neighouring regions.(think American occupation, intervention and dispositon of Hawaiian monarchy, British East India Company policies etc.)
Form reservations for aborigines. Assimilate or perish in abject poverty.
But Singaporeans are probably too nice, too soft, not hungry enough, listen to government too much to be able to pull this off.
SO join other countries where all this has all been done - Australia, Canada, America, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc. EMIGRATE
That's why Singaporeans lose out - they suffer in silence and don't fight for themselves, not a bad life, but not the greatest either.
High standard of living but poor quality of life.