Comparison of Singapore with Hong Kong (1970s)

From BluWiki

This is a brainstorming of the similarities and differences of the political system of Singapore (until today) and Hong Kong in the 1970s. This page is part of my thesis project and people are encouraged to add anything they think is missing.

Similarities

• Both are small city states (size matters)
• Chinese culture had an indelible influence on both cities
• Both have achieved an economic miracle (both are �tiger states�)
• In both states entrepot trade and international corporations play a large role
• Both states were successful in fighting corruption
• Both are marked by their colonial heritage in the British empire
• Hong Kong in the 1970s, like Singapore until today, was considered depoliticized (political stability)
• Both are governed by a relatively small elite

Differences

• Singapore is an independent country, HK was a relatively autonomous colony
• Singapore ethnic heterogeneous, HK relatively homogeneous (however: expatriates vs. Chinese majority)
• Level of civil liberties (SG very limited, greater rights of free speech and assembly in HK)
• Level of economic control is stronger in Singapore than in Hong Kong
• HK has only achieved very limited democratic elections, while Singapore�s system has had a formal democratic system even before it became independent