Lee Kuan Yew, who died last week aged 92, was one of Asia's most remarkable leaders of the 20th century. As prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990 he presided over the city-state's independence first from Britain and then Malaysia, going on to oversee its economic journey from third-world to first-world status in living standards. Its model of authoritarian capitalism influenced China's Deng Xiaoping from the 1980s, despite the huge difference in scale between the two states. The "guided democracy" he initiated has only recently been seriously challenged by parties competing with the People's Action Party he founded, which is now led by his son.
An efficient and well-paid civil service, a strong educational system, an abundant supply of labour, a large public housing sector and a mandatory savings regime provided the social infrastructure that underpinned Singapore’s economic performance and Lee’s continuing popularity. The city’s geographical position gave it an opportunity to attract financial services, shipping, foreign investment, airlines and trade in an open economy with relatively light regulation. Internal dissent and independent media were heavily constrained by Lee’s police and security services. A tough law-and-order regime kept crime low. Singapore’s political life was completely dominated by him and his party.
Many say this was worth the price paid in terms of economic and social development. Singapore stands out in its region as a successful multicultural state with an influence much greater than its size would suggest. Lee often argued that western democracy is not suited to Asian societies, or has to be adapted to its ways of life. That message has been taken up not only by the Chinese but by other Asians who resent the imposition of human rights or legal norms from Europe or the United States. But Asia too is pluralist and has many different political traditions. Lee's authoritarianism is only one among them. At most it represents a stage of development that may not outlast his passing.