Is Singapore Manchukuo?

Ian Buruma made that comparison during last Friday's lecture. I admit that I don't know much about Manchukuo, so I can't quite comment on the accuracy of that comparison. It also seems unfair to make such a comparison, given the sheer historical baggage that Manchukuo conjures in the minds of almost all ethnic Chinese.

Or maybe the punch was intended. Buruma's point was that Manchukuo was considered progressive, a model of modern development for its time (the Western powers were ogling the achievements of the Japanese then). Centralised control, massive bureaucracy/technocracy, no civil/political rights (so long as you weren't Japanese) and in return, the promise of material wealth and prosperity.

It still feels like an unfair comparison. No matter, the analogy was not his main point anyway.

His main point was the rise of what he called "authoritarian capitalism", perfected in Singapore and adopted by China as a means of maintaining state control over its people. The key is simple -- if you guarantee economic prosperity and security for all, people will be willing to part with things such as freedom of speech and critical thinking. Make all who deviate look like imbeciles and clowns.

The problem with this system is that when the deal breaks down, you'll get civil unrest again. I'd like to add to Buruma's caveat another one: this kind of system discourages love for one's country. People have no incentive to love their country, since they have no say in what happens. All that matters is the deal.

We'll see what happens in Singapore. I doubt the economy will get better anytime soon.