Singapore vs Israel - A study of contrasts
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http://www.littlespeck.com/informed/2006/CInformed-090525.htm
Littlespeck.com, 24 May 2009, subbaiyer.wordpress.com
Singapore vs Israel - A study of contrasts
By Subba’s Serendipitous moments
I had a chance meeting with a NUS don and we ended up discussing my post on whether East Asia can produce a Susan Boyle. While remaining neutral about the arguments that I put forth, he mentioned the reason about Singapore being “small”.
(Littlespeck: Susan Boyle is an ordinary Scottish church singer whose talent was unknown until she took part in a "Britain's got talent" contest and "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables which won world acclaim.)
I have heard the argument of Singapore being “small” ad nauseam. Singapore uses that as a convenient excuse whenever there’s a short coming or if they have to justify any hard measure to contain order.
They also use it to explain away many of the things where they have come short.
But, if you turn around and ask them how Singapore achieved some wonderful things in specific areas despite its small size, the discussion has veered off into a different direction.
Size and stability may be good, but lack of size and stability is not a deterrent to be successful. This reminds me of the famous lines in the old classic The Third Man:
”For 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance.
In Switzerland, they had brotherly love and 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”
To serious skeptics, I usually cite Israel (population of 7.2 million) as an example.
Israel since its independence in 1948 has fought a several wars with its neighbours. It is always in a state of military preparedness.
Yet it ranks highest in terms of human development, freedom of the press and economic competitiveness amongst Middle East countries.
It is a parliamentary democracy and the average span of Israeli government of 22 months. The governments have often changed for a number of reasons — political scandals, peace process with their neighbors and the role of religion.
It has the highest level of civil and human rights comparable to any Western world democracy and the freedom of press has been ranked highest amongst the Southwest regions.
Economically it is rated 3rd in the World Economic Forum’s Global competitiveness report. It has the 2nd largest number of start-ups after the US and the most number of companies listed in NASDAQ.
Many of the large technology vendors like IBM, Microsoft, Cisco have advanced development centres in Israel.
Contrary to the Singaporean thinking, the Israelis have used the small size of Israel as an advantage. A Israeli start up knows that is home market is limited and hence function as a “mini-multinational” from day one.
A surprising thing among Israelis is that they are never scared of failure and if 5% of the start ups in US are headed by repeat entrepreneurs, in Israel the ratio is well over around 30%.
Now coming to creative arts, Israel music has influences from all over the world. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has been operating for over 70 years and performs over 200 concerts each year. It also has a vibrant theatre scene.
How does one explain these successes in so many diverse fields despite its size and lack of peace? My view is their ability to be an inclusive society and they valuing diversity.
All Jews irrespective of their lineage are welcome and they constitute 75% of the population. Muslims are the largest minority and it equally welcomes Christians.
The difference between Singapore and Israel was neatly summed up by Guy Kawasaki in one of his recent visits to Singapore.
He called Singapore an one-opinion town. His precise words were: Israel has 5 million people, six million entrepreneurs, and fifteen million opinions.
Singapore has 5 million people, six entrepreneurs and one opinion.
Yesterday Lydia Lim a political correspondent from Straits Times referred to this difference, but only to defend Singapore and make a statement that Singapore has more than one opinion.
Her effort was painstaking, but what she ended up doing was only to reinforce the Singapore’s stability mantra which gives the society the order, but fails to deliver the innovation and creativity that Singapore badly needs in these times of global slowdown.http://subbaiyer.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/singapore-and-israel-a-study-of-contrasts/
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Latest updates at Singapore News Alternative:
1. Hong Kong and Singapore Most Vulnerable to Global Slump, Nomura Says
2. Neptune Orient Lines cargo volume dipped 22%
3. SIA says reduced business travel and flu epidemic set back for sustained recovery
4. Singapore vs Israel : A study of contrasts
5. Tweaking electoral rules: The paradox of contesting GRCs the SMC way
6. Temasek raises it's Standard Chartered stake to 19.11%
7. Batam see rise in luxury car smugglings from Singapore
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3. Obama Weekly Address - 23 Mar 2009
4. Poverty The Unknown Side of Singapore
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Things are easier when you have a sugar daady.
U.S. Financial Aid To Israel: Figures, Facts, and Impact
Summary
Benefits to Israel of U.S. Aid
Since 1949 (As of November 1, 1997)
Foreign Aid Grants and Loans
$74,157,600,000
Other U.S. Aid (12.2% of Foreign Aid)
$9,047,227,200
Interest to Israel from Advanced Payments
$1,650,000,000
Grand Total
$84,854,827,200
Total Benefits per Israeli
$14,630Cost to U.S. Taxpayers of U.S.
Aid to Israel
Grand Total
$84,854,827,200
Interest Costs Borne by U.S.
$49,936,680,000
Total Cost to U.S. Taxpayers
$134,791,507,200
Total Taxpayer Cost per Israeli
$23,240http://www.wrmea.com/html/us_aid_to_israel.htm
Who Gets U.S. Foreign AidThe U.S. will give an estimated $26 billion in foreign aid in 2008—70% more than when President George W. Bush took office (the figure doesn’t include funds related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). More than 150 countries get financial assistance from the U.S. Here are the six that received the most this year.
COUNTRY AID PURPOSE 1. Israel $2.4 billion Virtually all of this money is used to buy weapons (up to 75% made in the U.S.). Beginning in 2009, the U.S. plans to give $30 billion over 10 years.
http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/arch
Singapore how to compare with Israel?
Who is going to give us 2.4 billion per year?
Temasek, GIC stop losing billions yearly, we happy already.
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It has the highest level of civil and human rights comparable to any Western world democracy and the freedom of press has been ranked highest amongst the Southwest regions.This is how Israel threats its arabs:
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To serious skeptics, I usually cite Israel (population of 7.2 million) as an example.
Can you cite another better example?
Feel a bit doom you know, if we go take Israel as role model.
CIA Report: Israel Will Fall In 20 Years
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My view is their ability to be an inclusive society and they valuing diversity.
It's clear you know nothing about Israel.
http://www.jkcook.net/Articleheadings/Articlegroup2.htm
How on earth can Israel value diversity?
Their official policy is that Israel is a JEWISH state.
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Israel since its independence in 1948 has fought a several wars with its neighbours. It is always in a state of military preparedness.
Ya, I think you better go migrate to Israel.
Can bring us some war news when the next war breaks out.
We here in Singapore not that lucky, don't have so many wars.
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Originally posted by Yxxxone:
http://www.littlespeck.com/informed/2006/CInformed-090525.htm
Littlespeck.com, 24 May 2009, subbaiyer.wordpress.com
Singapore vs Israel - A study of contrasts
By Subba’s Serendipitous moments
I had a chance meeting with a NUS don and we ended up discussing my post on whether East Asia can produce a Susan Boyle. While remaining neutral about the arguments that I put forth, he mentioned the reason about Singapore being “small”.
(Littlespeck: Susan Boyle is an ordinary Scottish church singer whose talent was unknown until she took part in a "Britain's got talent" contest and "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables which won world acclaim.)
I have heard the argument of Singapore being “small” ad nauseam. Singapore uses that as a convenient excuse whenever there’s a short coming or if they have to justify any hard measure to contain order.
They also use it to explain away many of the things where they have come short.
But, if you turn around and ask them how Singapore achieved some wonderful things in specific areas despite its small size, the discussion has veered off into a different direction.
Size and stability may be good, but lack of size and stability is not a deterrent to be successful. This reminds me of the famous lines in the old classic The Third Man:
”For 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance.
In Switzerland, they had brotherly love and 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”
To serious skeptics, I usually cite Israel (population of 7.2 million) as an example.
Israel since its independence in 1948 has fought a several wars with its neighbours. It is always in a state of military preparedness.
Yet it ranks highest in terms of human development, freedom of the press and economic competitiveness amongst Middle East countries.
It is a parliamentary democracy and the average span of Israeli government of 22 months. The governments have often changed for a number of reasons — political scandals, peace process with their neighbors and the role of religion.
It has the highest level of civil and human rights comparable to any Western world democracy and the freedom of press has been ranked highest amongst the Southwest regions.
Economically it is rated 3rd in the World Economic Forum’s Global competitiveness report. It has the 2nd largest number of start-ups after the US and the most number of companies listed in NASDAQ.
Many of the large technology vendors like IBM, Microsoft, Cisco have advanced development centres in Israel.
Contrary to the Singaporean thinking, the Israelis have used the small size of Israel as an advantage. A Israeli start up knows that is home market is limited and hence function as a “mini-multinational” from day one.
A surprising thing among Israelis is that they are never scared of failure and if 5% of the start ups in US are headed by repeat entrepreneurs, in Israel the ratio is well over around 30%.
Now coming to creative arts, Israel music has influences from all over the world. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has been operating for over 70 years and performs over 200 concerts each year. It also has a vibrant theatre scene.
How does one explain these successes in so many diverse fields despite its size and lack of peace? My view is their ability to be an inclusive society and they valuing diversity.
All Jews irrespective of their lineage are welcome and they constitute 75% of the population. Muslims are the largest minority and it equally welcomes Christians.
The difference between Singapore and Israel was neatly summed up by Guy Kawasaki in one of his recent visits to Singapore.
He called Singapore an one-opinion town. His precise words were: Israel has 5 million people, six million entrepreneurs, and fifteen million opinions.
Singapore has 5 million people, six entrepreneurs and one opinion.
Yesterday Lydia Lim a political correspondent from Straits Times referred to this difference, but only to defend Singapore and make a statement that Singapore has more than one opinion.
Her effort was painstaking, but what she ended up doing was only to reinforce the Singapore’s stability mantra which gives the society the order, but fails to deliver the innovation and creativity that Singapore badly needs in these times of global slowdown.http://subbaiyer.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/singapore-and-israel-a-study-of-contrasts/
---------------------------
Latest updates at Singapore News Alternative:
1. Hong Kong and Singapore Most Vulnerable to Global Slump, Nomura Says
2. Neptune Orient Lines cargo volume dipped 22%
3. SIA says reduced business travel and flu epidemic set back for sustained recovery
4. Singapore vs Israel : A study of contrasts
5. Tweaking electoral rules: The paradox of contesting GRCs the SMC way
6. Temasek raises it's Standard Chartered stake to 19.11%
7. Batam see rise in luxury car smugglings from Singapore
New videos added:
1. Low Thia Khiang: Invest in knowledge-based creative SMEs - 25 May 09
2. NMP Siew Kum Hong: Indigenous entrepreneurs and changing political system
3. Obama Weekly Address - 23 Mar 2009
4. Poverty The Unknown Side of Singapore
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...And to the genius TS or the author,- how old, cultured, united and matured were the Hebrew civilisation as compared to us and our forefathers? If i do recall, Einstein was an european jew and grew up in efficient Germany, along with several centuries of international exclusive money lenders/bankers. I am sure hebrews would have laughed at the simplicity of the author's mind. -
in israel, there are 3 millions people, 6 million businessmen and 12 million opinions.
in sg, there are 3 millions people, 6 businessmen and 1 opinion.
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....and in Guy Kawasaki - 100 billion brain cells/neurons, 2 eyes and selectively blind.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
....and in Guy Kawasaki - 100 billion brain cells/neurons, 2 eyes and selectively blind.
lang tua bo nao, nao tua si chow.
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Originally posted by fishbuff1:
in israel, there are 3 millions people, 6 million businessmen and 12 million opinions.
in sg, there are 3 millions people, 6 businessmen and 1 opinion.
hahaha, well said. -
Israeli Air Strike on Sudan Convoy in January Killed 119: State Media
http://news.antiwar.com/2009/05/25/state-media-119-killed-in-january-sudan-bombing/
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Originally posted by fishbuff1:
in israel, there are 3 millions people, 6 million businessmen and 12 million opinions.
in sg, there are 3 millions people, 6 businessmen and 1 opinion.
are you saying that your opinion is the only one that matters, or if that opinion is someone else's, it is your own opinion that you have none and no one else has any either?ahahahahahahaahahahaha
try not to trip yourself over when talking shit about a country which you seem to have no idea about...
Singapore, ultimately, is a pragmatic people.. few give a shit about the politicians.. because they have better things to do by themselves and not be led by the nose by politicians...
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Are you seriously suggesting that the US should aid Singapore financially? Since when was Singapore in a situation that required that sort of help?
As you stated in your first post, Israel has is constantly in a state of military-preparedness because a war can break out any time. Is Singapore in this situation? No.
There are serious conflicts in Israel. They need security. Security requires money.
Singapore is peaceful. Peace does not require money.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
....and in Guy Kawasaki - 100 billion brain cells/neurons, 2 eyes and selectively blind.
Care to elaborate on why you think he's "selectively blind"? That quote comes from an interview where the reporter asked him why Singapore suffered from a lack of entrepreneurs.
(http://www.innovationmagazine.com/innovation/volumes/v3n2/free/entrepren2.shtml)
I don't think he was off the mark with his comment. After all, what has Singapore produced except industry ants? Singaporeans are notorious for their lack of entrepreneurial ability.
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Singaporeans are notorious for their lack of entrepreneurial ability.
There is something wrong with how Singapore society is organised.
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Originally posted by Cram:
Care to elaborate on why you think he's "selectively blind"? That quote comes from an interview where the reporter asked him why Singapore suffered from a lack of entrepreneurs.
(http://www.innovationmagazine.com/innovation/volumes/v3n2/free/entrepren2.shtml)
I don't think he was off the mark with his comment. After all, what has Singapore produced except industry ants? Singaporeans are notorious for their lack of entrepreneurial ability.
You kiddin me? ELABORATE on a hyperbole???!!!It is nothing more than an exaggeration he freely used with creative license. I only did it in a similar view, which is more closer to the mark than what he did and offended my fellow citizens.