As Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary, there may be a need to refocus its economic success narrative for it to be more relevant not only to the past, but also to current and future challenges that Singapore may face.

The story of Singapore’s humble beginnings and eventual rise to first world status has been used time and again for nation-building, and has effectively illustrated Singapore’s achievement of becoming a developed country. This narrative of Singapore’s ‘Third World to First World’ journey has provided Singaporeans a common past, a shared memory, and a collective identity.

As Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary, there may be a need to refocus the narrative for it to be more relevant not only to the past, but also to current and future challenges that Singapore may face.

…Nur Diyanah Binte Anwar and Priscilla Cabuyao are researchers at the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.