Singapore and Switzerland

Secrets to Small State Success

The cases of Singapore and Switzerland present a fascinating puzzle: how have two small states achieved similar levels of success through divergent pathways? Are both approaches equally sustainable, and what lessons do they hold for each other? While Singapore is the archetypal developmental state, whose success can be attributed to strong political leadership and long-term planning, Switzerland's success is a more organic process, due to the propitious convergence of strong industries and a resilient citizenry. Yet throughout the course of their development, both countries have had to deal with the dual challenges of culturally heterogeneous populations and challenging regional contexts. Edited by Yvonne Guo and Jun Jie Woo, with forewords from Ambassadors Thomas Kupfer and Tommy Koh, Singapore and Switzerland: Secrets to Small State Success features contributions from distinguished scholars and policymakers who explore the dynamics of two small states which have topped international rankings in a dazzling array of policy areas, from economic competitiveness to education to governance, but whose pathways to success could not be more different.

Contents:

• Foreword by Ambassador Thomas Kupfer
• Foreword by Ambassador Tommy Koh
• Preface
• Introduction and Background: The Trajectories of History, Politics and Economics
• Public Administration in Singapore and Switzerland (Yvonne Guo and Andreas Ladner)
• Neutrality, Balancing or Engagement? Comparing the Singaporean and Swiss Approaches in Small-State Diplomacy (Yvonne Guo and J J Woo)
• Trade Policy: The Status Quo and The Quo Vadis of Trade Liberalisation (Michael Anliker)
• Small States as Banking Powerhouses: Financial Sector Policy in Singapore and Switzerland (Yvonne Guo and J J Woo)
• Land Transport Policy: Urban Infrastructure in Singapore and Switzerland (Bruno Wildermuth)
• SMEs: Challenges, Potential for Mutual Learning and Implications for Policymakers (Manuel Baeuml)
• Recent Trends in First-Class World Competitiveness: Singapore and Switzerland in Global Entrepreneurship Rankings (Philippe Régnier and Pascal Wild)
• Singapore and Switzerland: Success Stories in Education (Suzanne Hraba-Renevey and Yvonne Guo)
• United in Diversity? Managing Multiculturalism in Singapore and Switzerland (Yvonne Guo)
• Migration Policies: Lessons from the Singaporean and Swiss Experiences (Hui Weng Tat and Cindy Helfer)
• Power Resources and Income Inequality in Singapore and Switzerland (Mehmet Kerem Çoban)
• Conclusion
• About the Authors
• Index
• Reviews of the Book

Readership: Policymakers; undergraduates and postgraduates in political science, economics, and international affairs.
Key Features:

• Provides an original and comprehensive overview of both countries' path to success, thereby filling a gap in the literature
• Provides detailed insight into the policy challenges faced by both countries, as well as their policy solutions
• Written by leading scholars in the field with research focus and expertise in specific policy sectors in Singapore and Switzerland