“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2.
This week’s column is a sequel to last week’s in which I have incorporated the views of two spontaneous respondents. I propose a way forward.
In revisiting the vision of Barbados as the “Singapore of the Caribbean,” we face both an opportunity and a challenge. While Singapore’s transformation from a struggling colonial outpost to a global economic powerhouse is often cited as an aspirational model, the path to that kind of success requires more than just lofty ideals. It demands a long-term vision, discipline and a commitment to governance that transcends political cycles.
As pointed out by a respondent to my recent column, the success of Singapore was not merely due to the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew but also to his strategic partners like Goh Keng Swee, who laid the foundation for sectors such as finance, housing, education and defence. Barbados could benefit immensely from understanding these detailed strategies and applying them in our own context. Our technocrats, policymakers and politicians must be willing to embrace these lessons — learning from the architects of Singapore’s rise.
However, as another respondent astutely highlighted, Barbados faces its own unique challenges, notably the lack of political continuity and pervasive corruption at all levels of society. Unlike Singapore, which had the advantage of stable governance under Lee Kuan Yew for over three decades, Barbados’ political landscape since independence has been subject to turnover of administrations an average of every 10 years. This constant change can undermine the continuity required to build a successful, long-term strategy. In my opinion, the current administration is likely to extend its current run for a total of 13-14 years, after the next general election constitutionally due in January 2027.
Nevertheless, there is a way forward. If Barbados is to move beyond stagnation and toward sustainable growth, we must commit to a vision of disciplined governance. This includes eradicating corruption, reducing crime, strengthening our institutions, and focusing on strategic sectors for growth. Like Singapore, we must emphasize education, infrastructure, innovation and most importantly, the hard work and consensus required to turn vision into reality. While it may seem distant, with strategic action, we can reignite the Barbados dream.
(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. His email address is basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. His columns may be found at https://www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com.)