Smurf account so I can write freely without risk of lawsuit. HN regular-ish (karma > 1k) and Singaporean. newy is very right with the summary above. Some poin

Smurf account so I can write freely without risk of lawsuit. HN regular-ish (karma > 1k) and Singaporean. newy is very right with the summary above. Some points to add: "The government also hands out "scholarships" for US college education, but really these are loans that require one to return and work for the government for X years" The bond period is 4 years for local scholarships, 6 for overseas. "Males are required to complete military service" The conscription period is 2-2.5 years. Until you're age 40/50 (latter for officers), you are eligible to be recalled arbitrarily. This is typically 2-3 weeks a year. The company analogy is apt. It is most certainly not a democracy. There is no freedom of speech, no freedom of press, no rule of law. Some highlights: - NYTimes pays $114k damages and makes apology to Singapore's ruling family: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N26D20100324 http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N26D20100324 - International Bar Association's report on how rule of law does not exist: http://www.ibanet.org/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleUid=0081C460-4B39-4ACB-BB40-8303FCEFDB31 http://www.ibanet.org/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleUid=0081C46... - very recent (July 2010): UK author of book on death penalty in singapore arrested for defamation: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/singapore-british-arrest-alan-shadrake http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/singapore-britis... - citing anti-corruption, the government pays itself very, very well. "In 2008, the annual salary for entry-level ministers was $1,924,300." http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Singapore http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Singapore .