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Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 09:07 PM Apr 2013

Singapore’s Lessons for an Unequal America ( Joseph Stiglitz )

SINGAPORE

Inequality has been rising in most countries around the world, but it has played out in different ways across countries and regions. The United States, it is increasingly recognized, has the sad distinction of being the most unequal advanced country, though the income gap has also widened to a lesser extent, in Britain, Japan, Canada and Germany. Of course, the situation is even worse in Russia, and some developing countries in Latin America and Africa. But this is a club of which we should not be proud to be a member.

Some big countries — Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina — have become more equal in recent years, and other countries, like Spain, were on that trajectory until the economic crisis of 2007-8.

Singapore has had the distinction of having prioritized social and economic equity while achieving very high rates of growth over the past 30 years — an example par excellence that inequality is not just a matter of social justice but of economic performance. Societies with fewer economic disparities perform better — not just for those at the bottom or the middle, but over all.

It’s hard to believe how far this city-state has come in the half-century since it attained independence from Britain, in 1963. (A short-lived merger with Malaysia ended in 1965.) Around the time of independence, a quarter of Singapore’s work force was unemployed or underemployed. Its per-capita income (adjusted for inflation) was less than a tenth of what it is today.


in full: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/singapores-lessons-for-an-unequal-america/

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Singapore’s Lessons for an Unequal America ( Joseph Stiglitz ) (Original Post) Jefferson23 Apr 2013 OP
Singapore is a one-party state run by a despot Kolesar Apr 2013 #1
And this changes what regarding Stiglitz's OP? n/t Jefferson23 Apr 2013 #2
Buy a ticket and move there Kolesar Apr 2013 #6
I asked you: And this changes what regarding Stiglitz's OP? Jefferson23 Apr 2013 #8
But an interesting despot mainer Apr 2013 #4
No, there is no "fascinating choice" Kolesar Apr 2013 #5
I say "fascinating" because of what it says about people mainer Apr 2013 #7
Pretty impressive considering the large number of millionaires. nt Lucky Luciano Apr 2013 #3

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
1. Singapore is a one-party state run by a despot
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 09:37 PM
Apr 2013

You have to be named "Lee" to become President.

It’s true that Singapore, a highly centralized state, has been ruled for decades by Mr. Lee’s People’s Action Party. Critics say it has authoritarian aspects: limitations on civil liberties; harsh criminal penalties; insufficient multiparty competition; and a judiciary that is not fully independent.

Lee's party sued the Singapore Democratic Party in their kangaroo court and confiscated their entire treasury of $500,000.

The courts judged against several newspapers who published storied critical of the tyrant.

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
6. Buy a ticket and move there
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 09:28 AM
Apr 2013

They are always looking for talented people to replace the people who move away.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
8. I asked you: And this changes what regarding Stiglitz's OP?
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 01:29 PM
Apr 2013

Yet you still can't say.

Snark is something perhaps you believe is a response to Stiglitz's OP, unfortunately.

Stiglitz: The United States, it is increasingly recognized, has the sad distinction of being the most unequal advanced country

Singapore has had the distinction of having prioritized social and economic equity while achieving very high rates of growth over the past 30 years...

Have a nice day.

mainer

(12,013 posts)
4. But an interesting despot
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 07:37 AM
Apr 2013

It's true that free speech is suppressed and rules against misbehavior are draconian -- take a sip from a water bottle on the subway, and you'll get arrested. Spit out your chewing gum and you'll get arrested.

But this despot's priorities are different from most. Lee makes social orderliness and education and economic development a priority, which has lifted Singapore to a comfortable living standard.

So this offers a fascinating choice. Loss of freedom for a wealthier, well-educated society? Or complete freedom with terrible wealth disparity?

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
5. No, there is no "fascinating choice"
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 08:05 AM
Apr 2013

Singapore is what Karl Rove envisaged for America ten years ago.

mainer

(12,013 posts)
7. I say "fascinating" because of what it says about people
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 09:34 AM
Apr 2013

if they WERE given the choice.

Especially here on DU, where some have demanded draconian measures to address wealth inequality. Some have talked about 90% taxes. Some have talked about wealth confiscation. They advocate despotic means, but in their eyes, it isn't draconian at all.

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