Singapore And Malaysia Essay

As espoused by the theory of social liberalism, the increasing international relations not only between the two states, but between Malaysian and Singaporean companies, organisations and citizens (Rosenau, 1980: 1), helps to build closer ties between the two states which reduces the likelihood of conflict. It is undeniable that Singapore and Malaysia are common in many aspects; in terms of geography, history, culture and ethnicity. They are direct neighbours, separated merely by a 1056 metre causeway link, which sees the crossings of more than 30,000 people daily (cite). They are both multiracial societies and share a similar diversity of cultures and religions; with cross-border traditions, practices, celebration of festivities, and even

In the past, countries sought power via military and territorial expansion in search of land and natural resources; but countries are shifting towards economic development and foreign trade (Richard Rosecrance, 1986, 1995, 1999) to achieve prominence and prosperity. The mutually beneficial relationship between Singapore and Malaysia can be seen from multitude of networks connecting the two countries to each other. A case in point is them being each other’s main trading partners, thus their bilateral trade in itself make them economically vital to one another. Furthermore, with the practice of university and sports exchange programs, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scholarships to foreign students studying in Singapore, there has been increasing interactions among the youth. Not discounting the fact that thousands of Malaysians cross the border everyday to work in Singapore companies; and Singapore remaining as the top investor in Malaysia with investment projects valuing to the billions (cite). Through repeated experiences ???, there is a changing mind-set that there are more benefits to gain from cooperation than through the use of force – technological improvements, migration of skilled labour, and access to information. As a result of complex interdependence theory, recent years have both parties showing positive attitudes and the desire to improve relationships, as an attack would disrupt the current interconnectedness and the affect the cross-border interactions between Singapore and