Singapore and Hong Kong have a unique position in that they have an established bureaucracy, trade law, and international banking infrastructure - thanks to the

Singapore and Hong Kong have a unique position in that they have an established bureaucracy, trade law, and international banking infrastructure - thanks to the British. Because they are tiny islands of stability and 'rule of commercial law' in a sea of political and economic instability ... they essentially have a powerful export industry, one that also relies on political stability. Without that wealth, I think the leaders would be goners. People are willing to put up with a lot so long as they are gaining wealth, the rules are not so harsh, and there is the perception of rule of law (i.e. no bribery). Not to inflame the anti-Imperialists :) but I wonder where Singapore would be were they to have a (elected?) Governor from the UK instead of a 'Dictator'. Especially since there is no such thing really as a 'native Singaporean' (i.e. when the British took over it was almost an empty plot) and this is more like a trading post than a colony, it really does question the classical late 20th century narrative views of Imperialism. I suggest that at very least, this guy could be having his little Skype meeting. But maybe the streets wouldn't be quite so clean?