Singapore's Success : Engineering Economic Growth [Hardcover]

Henri Ghesquiere (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2006

This monograph seeks the key to good economic policy by explaining Singapore's remarkably rapid development - the world's fastest-growing economy between 1960 and 2000 - and asks whether the city-state's success can be translated to other countries.

Engineering prosperity is at the heart of Singapore. The book demonstrates how exceptional cohesion amongst economic outcomes, policies, institutions, values and leadership over a long period accounts for the impressive results obtained. The author is careful not to present Singapore as a model to be copied uncritically in its specifics but as a case history that illustrates general principles which other countries might wish to apply to their particular circumstances.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this book, Henri Ghesquiere gives us a well-informed, rigorous, and engaging account of one of the most remarkable examples of successful development in modern history. True, as Ghesquiere prudently warns, Singapore's experience - or indeed that of any individual country - is not automatically transferable elsewhere. But those inquiring seriously into the mysteries of economic growth cannot fail to look at this nation's fascinating case, which is competently presented in this volume." --Ernesto Zedillo, Former President of Mexico, Director of Yale Center for Study of Globalization

"The author shows an impressive grasp of the workings of Singapore economy and has written a candid, entertaining, and engaging account of his view." --Dr. Khor Hoe Ee, Assistant Managing Director (Economics), Monetary Authority of Singapore, President of Economic Society of Singapore

"This book explains succinctly why Singapore succeeded. The author's views are forthright, at times critical, yet fair and balanced." --Euston Quah, Associate Professor and Head of Economics, Nanyang Technological University, Editor for The Singapore Economic Review

About the Author

Dr Henri Ghesquiere was Director of the IMF-Singapore Regional Training Institute (2004-2005). He served on the staff of the International Monetary Fund during 1978-2005. At the IMF, he was closely involved as an economist, mission head, and senior resident representative with macroeconomic lending programs and growth-oriented stabilization policies in 26 countries. Henri Ghesquiere holds degrees in humanities and economics from the University of Leuven, Belgium and earned his Ph.D. from Yale University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 186 pages
• Publisher: Cengage Learning; 01 edition (August 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9814195286
• ISBN-13: 978-9814195287
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,552,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Diplomatic, if not superficial and insightless., February 26, 2009

By 

ServantofGod - See all my reviews

This review is from: Singapore's Success : Engineering Economic Growth (Hardcover)

This book reminds me of my experience with Robert Rubin's "In an uncertain world". I expected much, but I was quite disappointed. The author, with his dry writing, had been too careful in handling the Lee Kuan Yew and thus all political factors. Perhaps that's characteristics of bureaucrats in IMF. For those who want to get some facts for an academic thesis, that's fine. For those who want to have insights for investment and business decisions, this wont satisfy you at all.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What others can learn..., November 28, 2007

By 

Guido Deboeck "author "Flemish DNA & Ance... (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singapore's Success : Engineering Economic Growth (Hardcover)

In this exceptional well written book about the achievements of Singapore, the author integrates a discussion of the pro economic growth policies with the growth-enhancing institutions and culture of Singapore. The main theme of this book is the question as to "what other countries can learn" from the achievements of Singapore? Based on my personal visits to Singapore --the earliest of which was in 1972 for pleasure and the more recent ones in the 90s were for business or to make presentations at technology oriented conferences or for government officials of the Central Bank-- as well as on my contacts with friends in Singapore, I fully endorse the key themes that emerge from Singapore's success story. This short easy to read book should be read by all students of economic development and more importantly should be studied in detail by all policy makers interested in making government work more effectively "for all the people". Hence, it is not surprising that this book has already become a textbook for seminars organized at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. Other Public Policy departments around the globe should do likewise, teach students the best practices of professional government behavior that the author, H. Ghesquiere (a former Director of the IMF-Singapore Regional Training Institute) managed to so succinctly highlight in this wonderful book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting thesis, October 5, 2006

By 

Jonathan M. Lave (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singapore's Success : Engineering Economic Growth (Hardcover)

Solid and easy-to-read book on an interesting topic. I'm more into the policy aspects than signapore specifically, and this book definitely applies to development issues world-wide. There's a lot of economics, which was easy to understand, but not what I was looking for, which is why I give it four stars. It's a good primer for anyone who wants to read about Singapore's unprecendented transformation from poor to rich, or for anyone interested in development generally.