🎙️ Guest: Ooi Kee Beng | Political Historian & Executive Director, Penang Institute
Ooi Kee Beng is a political historian, writer, and the executive director of Penang Institute. He has spent years studying the process of nation-building in Asia and is the author of In Lieu of Ideology: Dr Goh Keng Swee's Intellectual Biography.

In this episode, we explore the ideas of Singapore’s founding economic architect—Dr Goh Keng Swee—and how his core beliefs shaped Singapore’s development.

⏱ Timestamps
01:21 – Why Read History
03:52 – Goh Keng Swee vs. Lee Kuan Yew
09:10 – The Leaders As Nation Builders
11:10 – Avoiding Corruption
16:42 – Why Singapore Was A Social Revolution
21:45 – Where Goh Keng Swee Diverged In Economics
23:38 – Why Western Hippie Culture Didn't Take Root Here
26:42 – Geopolitical Dynamics and Historical Awareness
29:45 – Export-Oriented Industrialization vs. Import Substitution
35:25 – The Role of Institutions in Nation Building
36:42 – Could Merger Have Worked
38:54 – The Political Economy of Singapore
42:28 – The Importance of a Common Market
43:54 – Ideology vs. Pragmatism in Leadership
46:15 – Defining 'Socialism That Works'
50:24 – Singapore's State Building Efforts
52:37 – Ensuring A Rule Of Law
55:45 – Creating A National Identity
59:07 – Building a National Economy
01:01:17 – Harsh Reality of Raw Power
01:02:09 – Lessons from Dr. Goh's Leadership
01:05:06 – Book Recommendations
01:07:54 – Advice For A Fresh Graduate Entering The Working World

📄 Full Transcript:
https://www.ykeith.com/tag/podcast/

📲 Let’s Connect:
Instagram: @frontrow.65
LinkedIn: Keith Yap
Website: www.ykeith.com
Email: keith@frontrow65.co

🎧 Subscribe for Free:
Spotify: Front Row
Apple Podcasts: Front Row

The Hot Options Report: 10-20-2025