Lee Kuan Yew Essay

Throughout the course of history, there have been many great men that have effected immense change, both positive and negative. However, many of the greatest have been shrouded in controversy over the ethics of their work. It has been said that “Great men are never good men”, but I believe that great men are not never good men, but rather are not always good men, defined as ethically sound men. To support and justify my thesis, I will be evaluating the ethics of Lee Kuan Yew’s actions. Lee Kuan Yew is a prominent figure in Singapore’s history and is credited for the rapid propulsion of Singapore from third world to first world in under 40 years. A man with vision and courage, he recognized Singapore’s strengths and weaknesses and built on them,

He had a vision and was steadfast in his determination to implement it. One such example was the introduction of National Service to ensure Singapore’s safety and defense following the British’s withdrawal of troops from Singapore, mandating military service for all men. A similar policy was met with much resistance as many students did not want to have their education delayed any further following the delays caused by World War II. (“National Service Riots of 1954”.) This eventually resulted in the National Service Riots of 1954. However, Lee Kuan Yew stood firm and unwavering in his decisions, recognizing the need for national security, and was willing to make the unpopular decision for the greater good of the country. He led by example, enlisting his own sons into National Service and hence allowing citizens to have more confidence in the policy. He subjected himself and his family to the same treatment as every other citizen and hence led fairly and without corruption or nepotism. In fact, National Service has since been credited for helping to improve race relations and strengthening Singapore’s national identity. Good leadership and a lack of corruption come hand in hand, and his willingness to make unpopular decisions justifies that he was a good leader and a good man, rendering the statement