Singapore: The State and the Culture of Excess (Asia's Transformations)

Taking ideas and frameworks from philosophy, psychology, political science, cultural studies and anthropology, this book tells the larger ‘truth’ about the Singapore state. This book argues that this strong hegemonic state achieves effective rule not just from repressive policies but also through a combination of efficient government, good standard of living, tough official measures and popular compliance. Souchou Yao looks at the reasons behind the hegemonic ruling, examining key events such as the caning of American teenager Michael Fay, the judicial ruling on fellatio and unnatural sex, and Singapore’s ‘war on terror’ to show the ways in which the State manages these events to ensure the continuance of its power and ideological ethos. Lively, and well-written, this book discusses key subject areas such as: leftist radicalism and communist insurgency nation-building as trauma Western ‘yellow culture’ and Asian Values judicial caning and the meaning of pain the law and oral sex food and the art of lying cinema as catharsis Singapore after September 11. Singapore Traverses Several Fields Of Study, Taking Up Ideas And Frameworks From Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science, Cultural Studies And Anthropology In Order To Tell The Larger 'truth' About The Singapore State. As Such, This Book Will Appeal To Anyone Interested In Singapore And Asian Studies Alike.--jacket. 1. Magic Of The Singapore State -- 2. Trauma And The 'culture Of Excess' -- 3. 'yellow Culture', White Peril -- 4. Pain, Words, Violence : The Caning Of Michael Fay -- 5. Oral Sex, Natural Sex And National Enjoyment -- 6. 'talking Cock' : Food And The Art Of Lying -- 7. I Not Stupid : Localism, Bad Translation, Catharsis -- 8. Nation After History -- 9. Epilogue : Useless Pragmatism. Souchou Yao. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [201]-205) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 8 Copyright......Page 9 Contents......Page 10 Preface and acknowledgements......Page 12 1 The magic of the Singapore State......Page 16 2 Trauma and the ‘culture of excess’......Page 43 3 ‘Yellow culture’, white peril......Page 65 4 Pain, words, violence: The caning of Michael Fay......Page 90 5 Oral sex, natural sex and national enjoyment......Page 112 6 ‘Talking cock’: Food and the art of lying......Page 136 7 I Not Stupid: Localism, bad translation, catharsis......Page 155 8 The nation after history......Page 174 9 Epilogue: Useless pragmatism......Page 193 Notes......Page 205 References......Page 216 Index......Page 221