Marvey, there is one thing I have noticed about the Chinese people in Singapore: they are the polite ones. They are the ones that behave like I was taught to in 1950s UK. They say thank you when you open the door for them, and sorry when they walk into you by accident. It's not that other Singaporeans are necessarily rude, but, for me, this stands out with the Chinese. Didn't Singapore change entirely after the Japanese kicked out the Brits in WW2? I didn't study the history, just read one novel.

So far as the effects of colonisation are concerned, Singapore and India were both colonies, but their development since could not be more different. I have to admit that I have stood and looked at the clean, ordered streets of Singapore and wondered why India did not end up like that.

I'm white, British, and I live in India. I'd swear that, sometimes, my wife thinks I'm just a dumb foreigner ...and that pisses me off.

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Lol, Mao came to his senses when Nixon threw tons of $$$$$ at China and gave them the opportunity to not be Russia.

A few things...

Size and complexity are a few. Remember, Singapore is essentially a small City/State with a homogenous society. India is one of the most religiously, culturally, and linguistically diverse countries on earth. You could go to many parts of the country where people don't identify as being 'Indian'. Defining what a Hindu is is just as difficult.

Politically speaking, Singapore went with the authoritarian sort of benevolent dictator approach to capitalism. India has had a long and weird flirtation with a sort of pseudo democratic communism coupled with extreme corruption which just promotes stagnation and confusion. Culturally, India also seems to have a higher tolerance for what many would find socially unacceptable behavior and living standards due to the old caste system. Plus the British splitting the country along religious lines led to instability and many wars in Kashmir and Bangladesh. Certainly doesn't help anything.

I met a guy that said he once played golf with Prime Minister Lee and asked him what was one the keys to Singapore's success. Supposedly PM Lee said to him they make sure the politicians are some of the most well payed (millionaires) and respected figures in their society ensuring they get the cream of the crop (best and brightest) to run the country. Thought that was an interesting comment.

P.S. Since I now live in the valley, I've noted Jewish people like to speak of "Persians" and Persians like say "Jews". I have no beef in any of this, but I find it amusing, and actually refreshing. At least they are honest.

Actually, I have also lived here, and Persians refer to Jewish folks as "Kalimi" if they are Persian Jewish. And yes, the rest are just referred to as "Jews". I never found either side to take issue with how they referred to each other.
And a large percentage of Jewish folks in middle east and even Israel are of Persian descent. TBH other than the governments, Jewish and Persian folks get along just fine.

PS: I'm of Russian and Persian descent.

is Singapore homogeneous? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Singapore

From the '60's to today, you're talking about going from about 80% Chinese to 75% Chinese over 50+ years. That's pretty homogeneous in my book. Besides, if you are a minority group there and have a problem with how the majority does things, you probably are going to have a BIG problem with caning or deportation. Singapore is not going to pander to a vocal minority.

Once again, it's only the whiteys that would let people who hate their countries and respective ideals move in, establish no-go zones and let them antagonize and take over. White liberal guilt is a tremendous weakness to be exploited. What's sad and ironic is it's inherently narcissistic like Evangelicals spreading the gospel are just trying to get themselves into heaven. Neither is founded on any reason or logic.

Anyway, Singapore doesn't and can't supply basic resources. It's a highly elevated economy. Not too dissimilar from other wealthy but resource poor nations like Britain and Japan who are resource limited by virtue of being islands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Singapore

The only resource rich island nation I can think of is Indonesia and maybe Australia if you are into mining that vast desert and outback. Indonesia cuz they have like 400 freaking islands with tons of palm trees that are sitting on oil .