Lee Kuan Yew’s enduring legacy of good governance in Singapore, 1959-2015

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Policy Context

Purpose – Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, who governed the country from 1959 to 1990, passed away on 23 March 2015 at the age of 91. The purpose of this paper is to assess his legacy of good governance in Singapore. Design/methodology/approach – The changes in Singapore’s policy context during 1959-2014 are described first before analyzing Lee’s legacy of good governance in Singapore by examining his books and major speeches. Findings – Lee Kuan Yew’s commitment to meritocracy, empowerment of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau to curb corruption effectively, reliance on competitive salaries to attract the “best and brightest” citizens to join the civil service, and maintenance of the rule of law, constitute his legacy of good governance in Singapore. Originality/value – This paper will be useful to policy-makers, scholars and readers who are interested in learning about Lee Kuan Yew’s contribution to good governance in Singapore.

“Key challenges facing the rule of law in Hong Kong”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuta Hagiwara
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Chinese Law

Purpose This paper aims to highlight key challenges to the rule of law in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach This study deploys a historical and legal approach to explore the key challenges to the rule of law in Hong Kong. In particular, this paper analyzes legal conflicts in Hong Kong. Findings The findings show how the rule of law in Hong Kong has become a prominent battlefield of a constitutional struggle between Hong Kong Law and Chinese Law. Originality/value This paper hypothesizes that the conflicts arise from the different interpretations and conceptualizations of the rule of law between China and Hong Kong.

Warsaw will not budge on its key agenda

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Early Evidence ◽  
The Eu

Subject Polish/EU frictions. Significance The European Commission has taken the unprecedented step of warning of a "clear risk" of a serious breach of the rule of law in Poland. Many in Brussels and Poland hoped that the appointment of a young prime minister and a major cabinet reshuffle signalled a rapprochement. On early evidence, at least, they may be sorely disappointed. Impacts Poland’s position in the EU will become more constrained as the rule-of-law conflict is exploited in negotiations on unrelated issues. In openly censuring Poland, the EU sees an opportunity to prove its credentials as a bulwark against populism and extremism. If Poland is pushed too far, the EU’s actions may undesirably strengthen anti-EU sentiments in one of its largest member states.

Hungary’s investment appeal could weaken

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Multinational Firms ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
The Government ◽  
Systemic Corruption

Significance The erosion of the rule of law and systemic corruption have not had a substantial impact on capital attraction. Despite occasional anti-capitalist rhetoric and measures to expel foreign companies in some sectors such as media, banking and energy, the government makes individual deals with multinational firms and tries to accommodate them into a 'new normal' based on loyalty to it. Impacts Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party has a slightly better chance of winning the elections than its main rival. Hungary would adopt a tough position towards China if the united opposition won the election. Germany’s pragmatic and economy-first approach to Hungary will not change following its own September 27 elections.

Five success stories in combating corruption: lessons for policy makers

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Special Administrative Region ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
British Colonial

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why Botswana, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, New Zealand, Rwanda and Singapore have succeeded in combating corruption and identify the lessons for policy makers in other countries. Design/methodology/approach The five countries are compared to identify the reasons for their success in combating corruption and the lessons that can be learnt by policy makers elsewhere. Findings Political will of the five governments is critical because combating corruption effectively requires them to provide the anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) with the necessary powers, budget, personnel and independence to enforce the anti-corruption laws impartially. New Zealand has succeeded in curbing corruption without an ACA because it relies on other institutions to maintain its good governance. Singapore’s rejection of the ineffective British colonial government’s method of using the police to curb corruption and its reliance on a single ACA was emulated by Hong Kong, Botswana and Rwanda. However, having a single ACA does not guarantee success unless it has the powers, budget, personnel and independence to perform its functions impartially as a watchdog instead of an attack dog against the government’s political opponents. As combating corruption remains a work in progress in the five countries, their policy makers must sustain their effective ACAs to meet the rising threat of private sector corruption. Originality/value The paper will be useful to scholars and policy makers concerned with improving the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in those countries where corruption is rampant.

Economic growth and the concept of diminishing marginal governance effect

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 888-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lino Pascal Briguglio ◽  
Melchior Vella ◽  
Stefano Moncada
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Advanced Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Real Gdp ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether good governance across countries, utilising the Rule of Law indicator of the Worldwide Governance Indicators, is associated with economic growth, measured in terms of real GDP. It is to be noted that in this paper both variables are measured in terms of changes, comparing like with like. It is hypothesised that a country with a high level of economic development and a high level of good governance (typically an economically advanced country) tends to find it more difficult to improve these two variables, when compared to a country with lower levels GDP per capita and good governance (typically an economically backward country). This assumption is termed the “diminishing marginal governance effect”. Design/methodology/approach The paper tests the hypothesis that governance improvements are related to real GDP growth, using the panel data regression approach. In this way both variables are measured in terms of changes, comparing like with like. Relevant control variables are utilised to impose the ceteris paribus condition. Findings The paper finds that improvements in good governance are statistically and significantly related to economic growth. This confirms the hypothesised “diminishing marginal governance effect” explained above. Research limitations/implications The main research limitation of this paper is that measuring changes in the “Rule of Law” indicator over time may be subject to errors given that the “Rule of Law” score of each year is an average value with related standard deviations, and the latter vary from one year to another and from one country to another. Practical implications The major practical implication of this paper is that good governance matters for economic growth and that in order to produce evidence for this the governance score must be measured in terms of changes and not in terms of levels. Another implication is that equations that compare economic growth with levels of governance are misspecified as they would not be comparing like with like. Social implications There are various beneficial social implications associated with good governance which is considered as a major pillar for orderly social relationships. Economic growth also has important social implications as it means, if properly distributed, improvements in material well-being of the population. Originality/value The originality of this paper is that it measures governance in terms of changes and not of levels. Studies on the relationship between governance and economic growth that measure governance in terms of levels generally do not find a positive relationship between the two variables. In using changes in both governance and real GDP, this paper confirms the “diminishing marginal effect of governance”, hypothesis.

scholarly journals Why Singapore works: five secrets of Singapore’s success

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
Public Bureaucracy ◽  
Pragmatic Leadership ◽  
Control Of Corruption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why Singapore is a success story today despite the fact that its prospects for survival were dim when it became independent in August 1965. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes the changes in Singapore’s policy context from 1959 to 2016, analyses the five factors responsible for its success and concludes with advice for policy makers interested in implementing Singapore-style reforms to solve similar problems in their countries. Findings Singapore’s success can be attributed to these five factors: the pragmatic leadership of the late Lee Kuan Yew and his successors; an effective public bureaucracy; effective control of corruption; reliance on the “best and brightest” citizens through investment in education and competitive compensation; and learning from other countries. Originality/value This paper will be useful to those scholars and policy makers interested in learning from Singapore’s success in solving its problems.

Application of MFN to investment dispute settlement: rule of law issues

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-41
Author(s):  
Tanjina Sharmin ◽  
Emmanuel Laryea
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dispute Settlement ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
The Past ◽  
International Investment Agreements ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Investment Agreements

Purpose Over the past two decades, the application of most-favoured-nation (MFN) clauses in international investment agreements (IIAs) to dispute settlement matters has generated controversy. The purpose of this paper is to help resolve some of the controversies by examining the rule of law issues that may arise from such application of MFN. Design/methodology/approach The study describes controversies regarding the application of MFN to dispute settlement as per the extant literature on the subject. It explores the elements of rule of law in investor-state arbitration. The paper then analyses the implications of applying MFN to dispute settlement matters for the elements of rule of law. Based on such analysis, the study argues that the application of MFN to dispute settlement matters undermines certain elements of rule of law. Findings The paper has outlined the relevant elements of rule of law in investor-state arbitration as access to dispute settlement; judicial (or tribunal) independence, fairness and impartiality; consistency and predictability of law and decisions; transparency; accountability and subjection of dispute forums and systems to law. It found that the application of MFN undermines various components of rule of law, in particular of consistency and predictability and the requirement of tribunals to adjudicate within the limits of the law. Originality/value The findings of this study will help future investor-state arbitral tribunals to decide on the application of MFN to dispute settlement matters.

Singapore’s success in combating corruption: lessons for policy makers

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Political ◽  
Critical Importance ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Party Government ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Sustained Effort

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain Singapore’s success in combating corruption and to identify the lessons for policy makers concerned with enhancing the anti-corruption measures in their countries. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a brief literature review and analysis of Singapore’s policy context before explaining Singapore’s success in combating corruption and identifying the lessons for policy makers to enhance the effectiveness of the anti-corruption measures in their countries. Findings Singapore’s success in combating corruption can be attributed to the political will of the People’s Action Party government and the effectiveness of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau in investigating all corruption cases and enforcing the anti-corruption laws impartially, without fear or favour. Extrapolating from Singapore’s success, policy makers in other countries can learn these lessons: the critical importance of political will; addressing the causes of corruption and learning from past mistakes; establishing and supporting an independent anti-corruption agency with adequate resources; enforcing the anti-corruption laws impartially but not selectively against the government’s political opponents; and combating corruption is a marathon requiring perseverance and sustained effort. Originality/value Scholars, policy makers and anti-corruption practitioners will be interested in learning how Singapore has succeeded in combating corruption as well as the relevant lessons for policy makers.

scholarly journals An examination of judicial independence in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Fairbairn
Keyword(s):  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Plenary Session ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Judicial Independence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Current State ◽  
Development Trajectory ◽  
Fourth Plenary Session ◽  
Chinese State

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider and evaluate judicial independence in China, through reviewing the value in its presence, assessing its current state in China and evaluating what the future holds for it. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the benefits of judicial independence in its support of the rule of law. Following this, an evaluation of the current independence of the judiciary in China is presented. The reforms of the judiciary in the Fourth Plenary Session and the outlook for judicial independence in China are assessed. Findings The paper finds that judicial independence in China cannot be said to exist, being vulnerable to influence from a variety of sources. There is, however, progress observed, and this is expected to continue. Originality/value This paper’s consideration of judicial independence in China and its outlook are framed with discussions of the relationships between judicial independence and the rule of law, and the Chinese state and the rule of law. The paper should thus contribute to discussion of the development trajectory of China in this important facet.

DEKADENSI PEMILIHAN HAKIM AGUNG OLEH DPR RI

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-104
Author(s):  
Rustam Magun Pikahulan
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
House Of Representatives ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Due Diligence ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Institutional Status ◽  
The Government

Abstract: The Plato's conception of the rule of law states that good governance is based on good law. The organization also spreads to the world of Supreme Court justices, the election caused a decadence to the institutional status of the House of Representatives as a people's representative in the government whose implementation was not in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court. Based on the decision of the Constitutional Court No.27/PUU-XI/2013 explains that the House of Representatives no longer has the authority to conduct due diligence and suitability (elect) to prospective Supreme Judges proposed by the Judicial Commission. The House of Representatives can only approve or disapprove candidates for Supreme Court Justices that have been submitted by the Judicial Commission. In addition, the proportion of proposed Supreme Court Justices from the judicial commission to the House of Representatives (DPR) has changed, whereas previously the Judicial Commission had to propose 3 (three) of each vacancy for the Justices, now it is only one of each vacant for Supreme Court Judges. by the Supreme Court. The House of Representatives no longer has the authority to conduct due diligence and suitability (elect) to prospective Supreme Judges proposed by the Judicial Commission. The House of Representatives can only "approve" or "disagree" the Supreme Judge candidates nominated by the Judicial Commission.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document