Leo Poh Lee
Should there be a question mark after the title?
Or is the title supposed to be a statement?
What is a First World Country? According to Nations Online (www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/first_world.htm), the term First, Second and Third World refers to the post-WWII segregation of the world into those aligned with USA/NATO (First World), those aligned to the communists/Eastern Bloc (Second World), and the non-aligned states (Third World).
The same source also explains that "First World" could also mean "industrialized nations, developed countries, rich countries or the civilised world".
The American Heritage Dictionary also explains first world as "Industrialized capitalist nations of the world" during the cold war. (Note that there is no mention of democracy as a defining criteria)
So historically, Singapore was classified as Third World country because of its location (Asia, not in the North Atlantic), and its status as a developing country then.
As a member of NATO, Turkey was and is a First World Country (See "nations online" above).
However, if First World now means rich, developed country, how does Singapore fare in comparison with Turkey, an original First World Country?
Singapore has the lowest infant mortality rate according to the CIA fact book. Turkey is ranked as having the 72nd highest infant mortality rate. (www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/209 1rank.html).
Life expectancy in Singapore is the 4th longest in the world tied with San Marino, at 81.8 years. Only Andorra, Macau and Japan are ranked higher. In Turkey, it is 72.88 years tied with China for 103rd place.
Per Capita GDP (PPP) of Singapore is $30,900 or 30th in the world which is better than France (31st), Monaco (32nd), Italy (33) or the European Union (34th). Turkey's Per Capita GDP of $8,900 puts it at 93rd position. (I guess they pulled down the EU's average)
Unemployment in Singapore is 3.1% (29th) which is better than the US (56th), Australia (57th), or the EU (100th). Turkey's unemployment is 10.2%, or 114th in the world.
In terms of economic freedom, wikipedia rates Singapore at 2nd place, and Turkey at 85th.
Transparency International reports that Singapore is rated the 5th least corrupt country. Only Iceland, Finland, New Zealand and Denmark had better ratings. Turkey ranked 65th.
Nations Online also reports on the Human Development Index. Singapore is ranked 25th in terms of countries that create "an environment in which people can develop their full potential...". Turkey is not on the list of top 30 countries.
However, Turkey beats Singapore in the ranking for press freedom. Turkey is ranked 98th against Singapore at 140th.
I could make excuses as to why Singapore is ranked 140th in press freedom. But I'll leave that for another article.
The question at hand is whether Singapore is a First World Country. Well, in all but one measure Singapore is ranked better than Turkey. But then again, is Turkey the best benchmark?
What about the USA? In all the above measures, Singapore is ranked better than the US except for per capita GDP, Human Development, and press freedom.
So is Singapore a First World country yet?
Heck no, because Singapore is ruled by a dictator, says some. Strangely, the CIA factbook reports Singapore as being a democratic republic, and Transparency International reports that Singapore is the 5th least corrupt country, so if it's a dictator running the country, it must be a democratically elected dictator. Also democracy was not a criteria for First World status. Capitalism, yes. Democracy, no.
(I believe critics of the Singapore Government are concerned with the longevity of the ruling party, and look to examples of other strongmen like Saddam, Kim Jong-Il, Marcos and Suharto and wonder if perhaps the ruling party is resorting to corrupt or illegal means of holding onto power. But independent reports like those of Transparency International should address such arguments.)
Personally as a Singaporean, I don't really care if Singapore is accepted in the First World Club. In fact, Singapore fought against classification as a developed nation in the 1980s because we wanted to hang onto the GATT favourable tariffs for developing nations. So even in the 1980s, the US was already recognising that Singapore was ready to "graduate" from the third world status.
Today GATT has been replaced with WTO and Free Trade Agreements, and the status of First World brings neither strategic nor economic benefits. At best it brings status or bragging rights. (And some people would say Singaporeans already have too much to brag about.)
So is Singapore a First World Country?
I'll let you know when the answer matters.
