Becoming Global Asia: Contemporary Genres of Postcolonial Capitalism in Singapore

Becoming Global Asia explores how Singapore gained cultural capital and soft power from its anglophonic legibility, positioning it as a site of imperial desire, a celebrated postcolonial model nation, and an alibi for the continued subjugation of the Third World.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

Becoming Global Asia: Singapore as a Hub for Understanding Uneven Effects of Colonialism and Capitalism

Singapore stands as a pivotal location in understanding the complex and multifaceted impacts of colonialism and capitalism. In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Singapore embarked on a strategic initiative aimed at transforming its reputation from a culturally barren and punitive nation to Global Asia – an enticing destination ideal for economic prosperity. Rather than solely evaluating the effectiveness of state policies, Cheryl Narumi Naruse delves into the intricate mechanisms through which Singapore acquired cultural capital and soft power through its anglophonic legibility. By examining a range of genres, including literary anthologies, demographic compilations, coming-of-career narratives, and princess fantasies, Naruse uncovers how Singapore has emerged as a site of imperial desire, a celebrated postcolonial model nation, and a convenient alibi for the perpetuation of subjugation towards the so-called Third World. Through her readings of Global Asia as a formation of postcolonial capitalism, Naruse offers fresh conceptual paradigms for comprehending postcolonialism, neoliberalism, and empire.

Singapore's transformation from a culturally sterile and punitive nation to Global Asia is a remarkable journey. In the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the country initiated socioeconomic policies and branding campaigns to rebrand itself as a desirable location for economic growth. The goal was to shed its image as a culturally barren and punitive nation and position itself as a global hub for business and innovation.

One of the key strategies employed by Singapore was its focus on anglophonic legibility. The country recognized the importance of English as a global language and invested heavily in education and language training to ensure that its citizens had strong English language skills. This investment not only improved the country's economic competitiveness but also enhanced its cultural capital and soft power.

Literary anthologies, demographic compilations, coming-of-career narratives, and princess fantasies are just a few examples of the genres that Naruse examines in her book. These genres provide valuable insights into how Singapore has gained cultural capital and soft power as Global Asia. By analyzing these genres, Naruse reveals how Singapore has emerged as a site of imperial desire, a celebrated postcolonial model nation, and a convenient alibi for the continued subjugation of the so-called Third World.

Imperial desire refers to the desire of dominant nations to exert influence and control over weaker nations. In the case of Global Asia, Singapore has been perceived as a desirable location for economic growth and development by many countries, particularly those in the West. The country's reputation as a hub for business and innovation has attracted investments and capital from around the world, leading to economic prosperity and growth.

However, Naruse argues that Singapore's transformation into Global Asia has also been accompanied by a celebration of postcolonialism and the erasure of its colonial past. The country has been presented as a model nation that has successfully overcome the legacies of colonialism and achieved economic success. This narrative has been reinforced by the government's branding campaigns and socioeconomic policies, which have focused on promoting Singapore as a cosmopolitan and inclusive society.

At the same time, Naruse points out that Singapore's transformation into Global Asia has been accompanied by the continued subjugation of the so-called Third World. The country's economic growth and development have been largely driven by its exploitation of labor and resources from other countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The country's reliance on foreign labor has led to low wages, poor working conditions, and human rights abuses, particularly for migrant workers.

Furthermore, Naruse argues that Global Asia as a formation of postcolonial capitalism offers new conceptual paradigms for understanding postcolonialism, neoliberalism, and empire. The book challenges the traditional understanding of these phenomena and provides a more nuanced and complex analysis of how they have shaped the world.

In conclusion, Becoming Global Asia: Singapore as a Hub for Understanding Uneven Effects of Colonialism and Capitalism is a thought-provoking book that provides a valuable insight into the complex and multifaceted impacts of colonialism and capitalism. Through its analysis of literary anthologies, demographic compilations, coming-of-career narratives, and princess fantasies, Naruse reveals how Singapore has gained cultural capital and soft power as Global Asia. At the same time, the book also highlights the continued subjugation of the so-called Third World and offers new conceptual paradigms for understanding postcolonialism, neoliberalism, and empire. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the world's political, economic, and cultural landscape.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 227 x 153 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520396661