Kishore Mahbubani, "Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir" (Public Affairs, 2024)
Feb 27, 2025
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Kishore Mahbubani, a veteran Singaporean diplomat and academic, opens up about his remarkable journey from poverty to a distinguished career in international relations. He shares fascinating stories of personal resilience, like his family's migration during the 1947 partition of India. The conversation reveals how informal relationships, such as diplomacy through golf, can strengthen ties. Kishore also reflects on Singapore's strategic position in global affairs and discusses ongoing peace initiatives in Asia, hinting at the promising future of the 'Asian Century'.
Kishore Mahbubani's memoir highlights his journey shaped by early hardships, emphasizing perseverance and commitment to public service in diplomacy.
The discussion underscores the importance of collaborative leadership in Singapore's success, showcasing how collective governance can navigate complex global challenges.
Deep dives
Kishore Mabubani's Early Life and Its Impact
Kishore Mabubani recounts his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent diplomat and academic. Born to Hindu Sindhi migrants, his family's painful escape from Pakistan during the violent partition shaped his early life. His mother survived a harrowing journey with her infant child, emphasizing the significance of their safe arrival in Singapore, where Kishore was later born. This background of perseverance and struggle deeply influenced his worldview and his commitment to public service.
The Role of Diplomacy in Global Relations
Mabubani shares insights into his extensive career in diplomacy, highlighting the evolution of international relations, particularly during the Cold War era. He emphasizes that the landscape has dramatically shifted, with China's growing influence altering dynamics once dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union. The stark difference in how diplomats operated during his early career compared to present-day interactions with Chinese diplomats underscores this transformation. Mabubani reflects on the personal connections he formed during his diplomatic postings, illustrating the human aspect of global politics.
Influential Leaders and Lessons Learned
Throughout his career, Mabubani worked alongside influential Singaporean leaders, including Lee Kuan Yew, which shaped his understanding of effective governance. He believes that the success of Singapore is due not solely to one leader, but rather a collaboration among several geopolitical geniuses who shaped the nation's policies. Their ability to ask probing questions fostered an environment that nurtured critical thinking and innovation in governance. This collaborative leadership model serves as a critical lesson for current and future leaders navigating complex global challenges.
Navigating the Challenges for Smaller Nations
Mabubani discusses the unique challenges and opportunities faced by smaller nations, particularly Singapore, in a complex international landscape. Despite limited room for maneuver, Singapore has garnered immense respect and goodwill from major global powers through its strategic diplomacy. Mabubani emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong relationships and understanding the dynamics of larger countries, as this enables smaller nations to influence global discussions effectively. He cautions against complacency, advocating for continuous effort to preserve the political and social capital that Singapore has built over the years.
Kishore Mahbubani, longtime Singaporean diplomat and academic, opens his new memoir with a provocative line: “Blame it on the damn British.” Kishore, who later served as Singapore’s ambassador to the UN and founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, was born to poor migrants in Singapore, studied philosophy on a government scholarship—and from there, somehow got roped into the foreign service.
Kishore was one of the first guests on the show when he joined to speak on Has China Won?: The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy (PublicAffiars: 2020) all the way back in October 2020—and he joins us again to talk about his latest book, Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir(PublicAffairs: 2024)
Kishore Mahbubani is a veteran diplomat, student of philosophy, and celebrated author, he is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Asia Research Institute. His careers in diplomacy and academia have taken him from Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires to wartime Cambodia and President of the UN Security Council (Jan 2001, May 2002) to the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (2004-2017).