Singapore's Defense Policy: Essential or Excessive?
Abstract
This research explores the ambivalence that surrounds Singapore's post-independence defense policy. On the one hand, Singapore's defense policy has complemented the nation's overall development with its robust efficacy and fiscal efficiency. However, the magnitude of the country's defense expenditure also has led to the occasional raised eyebrow. For example, Singapore's reported defense budget for 2009 was more than that of Malaysia's and Indonesia's put together, which some may find surprising given the relative sizes and populations of these three neighboring countries. The study will attempt to answer the following primary research question: Could and should Singapore pursue a less expansive defense policy without compromising its national goals? This question can be further pursued with two secondary questions, divided along temporal lines: (1) To what extent has Singapore's defense policy been integral in serving its national objectives from independence to the present day?; and (2) In view of its contemporary security environment, does Singapore need to maintain its current defense policy trajectory? The study found that Singapore's decision to pursue a rigorous and generously funded defense policy paid early dividends by reducing its initial vulnerability as a newly independent nation. Since then, the role of Singapore's defense policy has evolved alongside changes in the security environment. Thus, while maintaining a credible deterrence will always remain the raison d'etre of Singapore's defense policy, its contemporary manifestation pertains more directly to expanding Singapore's international influence through its synergistic impact on Singapore's economic and diplomatic instruments of national power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA524244
Entities
People
- Yi-jin Lee
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College