Can Singapore's Development Model Be Successful in Rwanda?

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 1 - 14, 30.06.2025

Oğuzhan Bal

https://doi.org/10.62425/jirs.1580640

Abstract

Singapore has become a country that attracts attention not only in its region but also around the world with its economic development success. The present study examines the reasons behind Singapore's success by focusing on Lee Kuan Yew's policies following his assumption of government in Singapore. It is evident that the implementation of a meritocracy approach by Yew resulted in the effective resolution of a significant national challenge, namely corruption. In addition, a comprehensive restructuring of the country's education and infrastructure was implemented with the objective of enhancing its global competitiveness. Moreover, he elevated the nation to a position of prominence in the global trade arena through the implementation of a free market economy and the strategic investment in ports. Similarly, the efforts of Paul Kagame following his rise to power in Rwanda in 2000 to prevent the country from reliving its past sufferings and to gain a respectable place in the international system are emphasized. Adopting the motto "Singapore of Africa", Kagame's approach centered on the development of technology and service sectors, with the objective of reducing the country's reliance on the agricultural economy. The two countries are evaluated and compared on the basis of similarities such as colonial past, geographical smallness and authoritarian leadership. The present study provides a comparative perspective to understand the intersection of local dynamics and global integration in the development strategies of disadvantaged Singapore and Rwanda. The study's central argument concerns the question of whether Rwanda, adopting Singapore as a paradigm of economic success, might also attain comparable levels of prosperity within the framework of authoritarian modernization theory.

Keywords

Authoritarian Modernization Theory , International System , Economic Development

Singapur'un Kalkınma Modeli Ruanda'da Başarılı Olabilir mi?

Abstract

Singapur, ekonomik kalkınma başarısıyla sadece bölgesinde değil tüm dünyada dikkat çeken bir ülke haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada Lee Kuan Yew'in Singapur'da yönetimi devraldıktan sonraki politikalarına odaklanılarak Singapur'un başarısının ardındaki nedenler incelenmektedir. Yew'in meritokrasi anlayışı sayesinde ülkenin en büyük sorunlarından biri olan yolsuzluk çözülmüştür. Ayrıca Yew, ülkedeki eğitim ve altyapıyı küresel bir rekabete girebilecek şekilde yeniden yapılandırmıştır. Buna ek olarak serbest piyasa ekonomisi ve stratejik liman yatırımları sayesinde ülkeyi küresel ticaretin merkezlerinden biri haline getirmiştir. Benzer şekilde Paul Kagame'nin 2000 yılında Ruanda'da yönetimi devraldıktan sonra ülkenin geçmişte yaşadığı acıları tekrar yaşamaması ve uluslararası sistemde saygın bir yer edinmesi için gösterdiği çabalar üzerinde durulmaktadır. Kagame, "Afrika’nın Singapur’u" mottosuyla, ülkede tarımsal ekonomiye bağımlılığı azaltmak için teknoloji ve hizmet sektörlerini geliştirmeye odaklanmıştır. Her iki ülke, sömürge geçmişi, coğrafi küçüklük ve otoriter liderlik gibi benzerlikler temelinde değerlendirilmekte ve karşılaştırılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, dezavantajlı koşullara sahip Singapur ve Ruanda'nın kalkınma stratejilerinde yerel dinamiklerin ve küresel entegrasyonun kesişimini anlamak için karşılaştırmalı bir perspektif sunar. Çalışma özünde Singapur'un ekonomik başarısını rol model olarak alan Ruanda'nın benzer bir başarıyı yakalayıp yakalayamayacağını otoriter modernleşme teorisi kapsamında tartışmaktadır.

Keywords

Otoriter Modernizasyon Teori , Uluslararası Sistem , Ekonomik Kalkınma

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