China is a vast, disparate country; there is no alternative to strong central power.
Lee Kuan YewRead
The ultimate test of the value of a political system is whether it helps that society to establish conditions which improve the standard of living for the majority of its people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A political system's worth is determined by its ability to improve the living conditions of the majority.
This quote emphasizes that the true measure of any political system lies in its effectiveness at creating a better quality of life for the majority of its citizens. It suggests that policies and governance should prioritize the welfare of the general population rather than serving the interests of a select few, highlighting the importance of social and economic development as key indicators of a successful political framework.
Themes
Political SystemStandard Of LivingSocietyGovernanceMajority
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about societal progress, one might quote this to stress the importance of effective governance.
More from Lee Kuan Yew
All quotes →I can feel the gradual decline of energy and vitality. And I mean generally, every year, when you know you are not on the same level as last year. But that's life.
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Political reform need not go hand in hand with economic liberalization.. I hold unconventional views about this.. I do not believe if you are a libertarian, full of diverse opinions, full of competing ideas in the market place, full of sound and fury, therefore you will succeed.
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The human being is an unequal creature. That is a fact. And we start off with the proposition. All the great religions, all the great movements, all the great political ideology, say let us make the human being as equal as possible. In fact, he is not equal, never will be.
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They say, oh, let’s have multiparty politics. Let’s have different parties change and be in charge of the Government. Is it that simple? You vote in a Division Three government, not a Division One government, and the whole economy will just subside within three, four years. Finished.
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America's greatest long-term influence on China comes from playing host to the thousands of students who come from China each year, some of the ablest Chinese scholars and scientists. They will be the most powerful agents for change in China.
Lee Kuan YewRead
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