Singapore may just be the world’s first Utilitarian state

At the Public Policy Challenge 2008 Dialogue with Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean!

Rajan asked a question about pragmatism. Many governments’ policy often are based on ideology. Since pragmatism doesn’t exactly give what set of principles and assumptions, then what does this government base it on?

Rear Admiral Teo basically told a stor about a ship, in which one shot destroyed the entire image of Russia. The shot was ideological, ruthless pursuit of ideology can destroy the ship of state. Essentially, whatever works.

But then Edwina doggedly asked, still, how do you decide between which group of people do you benefit?

Of which his answer can be succintly summed up as, the most benefit for the most amount of people.

Teo Chee Hean is utilitarian.