The Ruling Elite of Singapore

The Ruling Elite of Singapore: Leadership Beyond Lee, Volume 1, is a detailed history examining the covert power networks within the prosperous city-state. Michael D. Barr analyzes the creation of a national elite during the 1950s and its subsequent consolidation throughout the 1960s. The text argues that these contemporary structures were a deliberate project managed by the founding father and former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

This revised edition updates the historical narrative to include significant shifts in power following the death of Lee Kuan Yew in 2015. It explores the Lee family feud, the prime ministerial succession of Lee Hsien Loong, and the rise of K. Shanmugam. By analyzing these developments, the book evaluates the future direction and character of the power structure governing this affluent nation.