Singapore: Imperialism and Post-Imperialism, Athleticism, Sport, Nationhood and Nation-Building

This essay continues the theme established by Prof. J.A. Mangan's (Athleticism in the Victorian and Edwardian Public Schools: The Emergence and Consolidation of an Educational Ideology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981) in the first of these two conjoined essays on the extension of the educational ideology of athleticism in the wider framework of Singaporean sport into the political, cultural and organisational development of Singapore. Initially, the discussion will focus on the residual effects of both British Imperialism and those of the Japanese Occupation during the Second World War. The analysis will focus on the philosophy and policies of the founder' of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew throughout his leadership from 1959 to 2011 and those of his successor as Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong from 1990 to 2004. During this period, Singapore advanced from a thriving entrepot to its present status as the most highly developed, prosperous and geopolitically significant nation in Southeast Asia. The social-engineering policies related to sport and fitness regimes were prominent features of the government's effort to create a sense of national identity and pride. Athleticism as an ideology first installed in the leading schools of the colony was later extended to all systemic schools and remains an important element of government policy.