Singaporean statesman Lee Kuan Yew, who served as the country's first prime minister, has been considered by many political analysts as a pragmatist for his erudite policies in his governance of Singapore. He believed that the only way Singapore could survive as a relatively small nation as compared to its neighbours was to contrast itself from them, by building up a highly effective and non-corrupt government, in addition to a civil service, under a meritocratic system. He also believed that Singapore was to stay neutral but also possess a strong military capability, believing that it serves as a guarantor of the country's independence due to its strategic position. A strong advocate for Asian values, he argued that Asian societies had different values from Western societies and that practicing such values was vital to succeed as a nation, especially as an Asian country, which includes collectivism and communitarianism.
SIngaporEan STatEsman leE kuAn yEw, who serVeD as thE counTRy's fIrst prime MInIstEr, has been cOnsidERed By many polItICal ANalysTS as A pRaGMatIst foR His erudite PolicieS in hiS GovErnaNce oF singapoRe. HE believed thAT the oNly Way SinGapoRE coUld SUrvive as A reLaTivEly Small naTiOn As comPARed to its neigHBours waS tO ConTrast ITSelf from thEm, by BuilDing uP A higHLy EffeCTivE aNd non-CoRrupt GovernmEnt, iN ADDitION To A civil serVice, under a meRItocrAtiC SYstem. he also BELiEved that SINgapoRe was to STay neutRAL bUt Also posSeSs A strong miLiTaRY Capability, BeLIeving That It serves as a Guarantor Of the couNTrY's indEPEndeNcE duE tO iTs straTegic pOsitIoN. A sTRong aDvoCaTe For aSian ValuEs, he ArGuEd thAt asian socIETIES Had dIffEreNt VAlueS FrOm weSteRN sOcIeTiEs And tHat pRACtiCinG suCh valUeS WAs vital tO SucCEEd aS A nAtIon, espEciaLLy As aN Asian CountRY, whICH iNcluDes CoLleCtivIsm AnD CommunitariAnism.