I saw a TV show today, a travelling show, I guess, since it mostly presented tips and advice on Singapore. Useful tips, for anyone thinking of going there in the near future.
However this useful information didn't really stick with me, but there were a few interesting things in the portrayal of this Asian society.
For what I could understand, it is a free society, it is a democracy, but the law enforces a discipline that is a bit uncomprehensable for a Eastern European society.
Examples... for drug posession and corruption you can get the death penalty, for spitting, littering or throwing your gum in the street you get a 200$ fine, for fighting you get fines or go to jail, owning a car is heavily taxed to reduce pollution, and so on. (I wish we had some of these here, we could use a bit of help to get on the right track).
From a 'liberal' point of view, I find this a bit harsh, limiting the personal freedom, although in a civilized society, this kind of negative behaviour should be theoretically overcome.
The Singaporean goverment also takes care of the citizens forcing landlords to rent homes to all ethnicities, while the rent itself is established based on personal income... cool, huh? everyone can afford a home that way. Food is also very very cheap, making it possible for anyone to eat in the so called 'Food courts'.
What can we learn from this example? That confort and civilization comes only with sacrifice, and a society CAN get from 'rags to riches' in less than 50 years.
For more info, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore
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