Pragmatism and the willingness to learn from others have been key to Singapore’s success. Goh Keng Swee’s advice to seek solutions from others helped Singapore become a top copycat nation, leading to its admission into prestigious global networks like the Global Public Policy Network.
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s success was also attributed to adopting best practices from other schools. High standards of honesty, integrity, and meritocracy were upheld, although not always easy to implement in other countries.
The deanship at the school also led to the publication of influential books and recognition as a key narrator of Asia’s rise. However, challenges arose as Mahbubani’s visibility grew, and encounters with Lee Kuan Yew hinted at disapproval.
Despite some pushback, Mahbubani’s contributions to global intellectual discourse and education were acknowledged, with invitations to prestigious events like the World Economic Forum. His journey, as captured in his memoir “Living the Asian Century,” serves as a testament to the power of learning, honesty, and perseverance in achieving success.
Excerpted from Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir by Kishore Mahbubani, published by PublicAffairs, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.