Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States, and the World pdf

Lee Kuan Yew (born 16 September 1923 – 23 March 2015) was a Singaporean politician and the first General Secretary and founding member of the People's Action Party. The first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, which he ruled for three consecutive decades, is famous as the founder of the country and its transporter from the Third World to the First in less than a generation. In 1990, Lee Kwan left the post of prime minister and the post of general secretary of the political party, but he remained its honorary president and an important political figure. Lee eschewed populist politics in favor of long-term practical social and economic measures. And he took the eligibility and multi-ethnicity as the main principles of his rule. Lee adopted English as the lingua franca to integrate the spectrum of Singaporean society and to facilitate trade with the West. However, he ordered bilingualism in schools so that students would not forget their native language. Lee's ruling was criticized, particularly in the West, for allegedly curtailing civil liberties by filing defamation suits against political opponents. For his part, he said that these disciplinary measures along with the rule of law are essential to political stability and economic progress. On August 12, 2004, his son, Lee Hsien Loong, became the third Prime Minister of the Government of Singapore, and he appointed himself as an adviser to the position of Minister Guru to the Government during several successive ministerial positions over 50 years. After the 2011 general elections, Lee Kuan Yew announced his departure from the government and making way for the new young blood before his death at the age of ninety-one.

Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States, and the World pdf by Lee Kuan Yew

When Lee Kuan Yew speaks, presidents, prime ministers, diplomats, and CEOs listen. Lee, the founding father of modern Singapore and its prime minister from 1959 to 1990, has honed his wisdom during more than fifty years on the world stage. Almost single-handedly responsible for transforming Singapore into a Western-style economic success, he offers a unique perspective on the geopolitics of East and West. American presidents from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama have welcomed him to the White House; British prime ministers from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair have recognized his wisdom; and business leaders from Rupert Murdoch to Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobil, have praised his accomplishments. This book gathers key insights from interviews, speeches, and Lee's voluminous published writings and presents them in an engaging question and answer format.

Lee offers his assessment of China's future, asserting, among other things, that "China will want to share this century as co-equals with the U.S." He affirms the United States' position as the world's sole superpower but expresses dismay at the vagaries of its political system. He offers strategic advice for dealing with China and goes on to discuss India's future, Islamic terrorism, economic growth, geopolitics and globalization, and democracy. Lee does not pull his punches, offering his unvarnished opinions on multiculturalism, the welfare state, education, and the free market. This little book belongs on the reading list of every world leader -- including the one who takes the oath of office on January 20, 2013.