Singapore is viewed as a model of an orderly, economically developing and successful society on the Pacific Rim. Based on eight years of field work, the author analyses how modernization effects an Asien society and which value conflicts prevail.
The Singapore government's program to shape its version of a modern yet Asian national identity is described in detail in light of the dominant ideology. In addition, the values and beliefs of opposition movements are presented. The work explores the tensions between these ideological sets and the likely outcome of the complex, inconsistent processes currently underway.

Klappentext

Frontmatter -- Acknowledgements -- Preface -- Table of Contents -- 1 Western Modernity and Singapore's National Ideology -- 2 The Religious Studies Experiment -- 3 Asian-style Democracy in Singapore -- 4 Strong Groups or Happy Individuals -- 5 Singaporean Chinese Women: Learning to Love While Struggling for Equality -- 6 Designing Chinese Culture: The Establishment and the Artists -- 7 Singapore's Future -- References