Invert the Third-World Playbook

"Lee Kuan Yew literally invented industrial outsourcing aimed at reducing production costs, with such a significant impact both on third-world development and on the deindustrialization of Western countries: “In the sixties, seventies, eighties, during the time of trendy and conformist theories held by third-world leaders influenced by the slogans ‘socialism,’ ‘communism,’ ‘the Soviet Republic,’ and ‘no to exploitative multinationals,’ I did not follow this trend and I succeeded. Then, the other countries in the region followed my example{{id_6}}.”"

"First, he invented in the sixties a new mode of economic development by doing exactly the opposite of all other member countries, like Singapore, of the non-aligned movement. These countries were taking protective measures against multinationals, considered as “supporters of Western imperialism.” For example, India not only shut the door to Coca-Cola but also to IBM, which delayed the development of the Indian software industry."

"Lee Kuan Yew sought to create the best possible conditions to encourage them to settle in Singapore: quality workforce and infrastructure, wage limitation, stable legal framework, regulated strike rights, etc. Lee Kuan Yew called this method “shortening the learning process.”"

"The following year, in 1979, Deng Xiaoping recounted his trip to Singapore and what he had learned for China: “I went to Singapore to learn how they use foreign capital. Singapore allows foreigners to set up factories on its territory and benefits from this in at least three ways: firstly, foreign companies pay the state 35% of their net profits in taxes; secondly, labor incomes go to the workers; finally, this approach has energized their service industries and local incomes.” And he concluded: “My opinion is that from now on, when we study economic and financial problems, our starting point must be how to make the best use of foreign capital, and how to excel in this area{{id_9}}.”"