In a fragmenting world, Lee Kuan Yew’s principles have evolved from lived memory into Singapore’s "active DNA". While most citizens now view his legacy as more significant than a decade ago, this is not a slide into nostalgia or personality cults. Instead, Singaporeans are using LKY’s core virtues — foresight, meritocracy, and discipline — as a moral yardstick to scrutinize the performance of current leadership.

Drawing on original data from Blackbox’s SensingSG, this essay by David Black explores how LKY's "operating philosophy" serves as a global benchmark for governance.

As Singapore approaches GE2025, find out what Singaporean voters are thinking. Our latest insights explore how rising optimism, shifting voter priorities, and key social trends are shaping the nation’s political landscape. From evolving cost-of-living concerns to the impact of leadership transitions and local issues, this Blackbox Research briefing provides a data-driven analysis of what to expect in the months ahead.

What is Singapore’s current position as it settles into 2024? With persistent economic challenges and political change, we decode what lies ahead for it.