National interests set Singapore's aims. Regional and Cold War developments shaped when and how it acted.
The syllabus asks you to weigh three factors: national interests, regional developments and Cold War developments.
National interests means survival, security, economic growth and sovereignty. They explain why Singapore's aims stayed the same from 1965 to 1991.
Regional developments include relations with Malaysia and Indonesia, the growth of ASEAN, and Vietnam's power after 1975. They explain the timing and methods of many responses. Examples are the slow path to ties with China and the use of ASEAN over Cambodia.
Cold War developments include British withdrawal, the Vietnam War, the US-China opening, the Sino-Soviet split and the end of the Cold War. They created the threats and openings that Singapore responded to.
A strong essay shows how the factors worked together. Cambodia was a Cold War conflict. Singapore's response came from its interest as a small state, and it acted through ASEAN.
- Three factors
- National interests, regional developments, Cold War developments.
- Constant aim
- Survival, from 1965 to 1991.
- Typical judgement
- Interests set the aim; the other factors shaped timing and method.
Worked example: Building a judgement
How can you decide which factor mattered most?
- Set a criterion: which factor explains the aim of policy across the whole period?
- National interests: the constant aim of survival.
- Regional developments: the pace and method of responses.
- Cold War developments: the changing problems and openings.
- Judgement: national interests mattered most, but they worked through the other two.
Watch out for this
Cold War developments were the main factor because Singapore only reacted to the superpowers.
Singapore did react to Cold War events, but it chose its responses to serve its own survival. Its links with all three powers show that it acted for its own interest, not as a client of one side.
Check your understanding
Which example best shows a regional factor shaping Singapore's response?
- Waiting for Indonesia before establishing relations with China
- Attracting American investment for jobs
- Britain's withdrawal from its bases