Embedded Files
A History of Singapore 1819 - 1975 (1977)
Acknowledging the limitations facing a historian tasked with writing a textbook history of a nation barely a decade after its independence, C.M. Turnbull wrote in her introduction to this first edition that she: "offers this book as a sympathetic personal interpretation by one who lived and worked in Singapore and Malaysia for nearly twenty years."
In this, Turnbull the historian revealed a innate apprehension nascent in all true historians, that proximity in space and time to the subject of study will invariably compromise its objectivity. Over time, she hoped, indeed expected, that other serious analysts would provide a more full picture:
"It is presented in the hope that its limitations, omissions and faults may spur historians, sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists and others to fill in the gaps and correct misunderstandings, in order that we may ultimately come to a greater understanding of the background of this young nation."
A History of Singapore 1819 - 1988 (2nd edition, 1989)
In her preface to this updated version, written twelve years after the first, Turnbull spoke of this subsequent eraof "consolidation and steady progress," in which the republic became "one of the most stable and prosperous countries in a troubled world." Indeed the late 70s into the 80s were relatively quiet years, "without major dramatic incident." However, these were formative years in which a "clearer picture of the nation and her government emerges."
The book was published just in time to celebrate 25 years of independence. It was clear by this time that while the ruling party and its far-sighted leaders had certainly forged a young nation, built upon the unshakeable values of hard work, discipline, integrity and incorruptibility, there was also a cost. Society, by large, had turned politically docile, subservient and almost reluctant to engage in creative and spontaneous thinking.
The national elections of 1988, won overwhelmingly by the PAP, demonstrated that political opposition remained only "the voice of dissent rather than that of alternate leadership." The young nation was as yet still faced with "the problem of reconciling Western-type democracy and individualism with social and economic discipline." (p327)
A History of Modern Singapore 1819 - 2005 (3rd edition, 2009)
Note the change in book title to "Modern Singapore." Several interesting features were noted by Turnbull as she embarked on what would be her last piece of historical work. By 2005, Singapore had become a vibrant and self-assured nation in her own right. But while she was a model for other developing countries, she had also become an enigma:
"Yet Singapore remains unique.... The republic does not conform to social science models and rules. It has once of the world's most open and successful economies but a disciplined political system, it has a large, prosperous middle class which is not agitating for political change .... It follows Westminster constitutional rules to the letter but contrasts in spirit with the original. It defies modern theories, encouraging and nurturing an elite and being prepared to accept inequalities of outcome." (p17)
Positively, Singaporeans had also matured into a society comfortable with their collective history. While emotional hollerings of "our history begins in 1965" receded with diminished political utility, more academics developed views of "alternate history" which challenged the orthodox PAP version. Younger scholars welcomed vibrant diversity and intellectual excitement as they examined different paths which Singapore might have chosen. Some, sceptical of the authorized version, called for a "counter" history. (p15)
Professor Turnbull was cognizant to all these developments and acknowledged them even as she continued the Singapore narrative in her book. While it will always be rightly used as a "standard history textbook," it at least does not suffer from a stifled and choked version which proffers the "approved" version of history suited only for nation building.
This 3rd edition is published by the National University of Singapore press. Read their summary of the book here. Purchase the book at Amazon or find out what other readers think of the book.
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