The Palgrave Geopolitical Atlas "Singapore" - by CWP alum Chong Ja Ian

As a smaller actor in world affairs, Singapore will feel the ups and downs in major power relations more than most. Singapore historically benefited from being a commercial conduit among major powers, even before its establishment as a nation-state. Acting as a successful middleman is predicated on a degree of major power accommodation that accepted the prioritization of absolute gains among major powers. Contending major powers could accept that rivals could accrue benefits, potentially even more benefits than themselves so long as they profited themselves. As US-PRC rivalries intensify, Washington and Beijing focus increasingly on relative gains which means they see advantages by the other as detrimental to themselves. Such conditions reduce the range of options for Singapore to “not choose” and work with both major powers. Singapore must now navigate these more complicated new circumstances, but policy inertia and the costs of adjustment may limit its ability to undertake such shifts. It may find itself simultaneously under pressure from both of today’s major powers as a result. Despite Singapore’s uniqueness, these are considerations that may similarly affect other smaller states that previously gained from more stable major power ties.

Ja Ian, C. (2025). Singapore. In: Fong, B.C.H. (eds) The Palgrave Geopolitical Atlas . Handbooks in Politics and International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-1507-3_44

The focus of my teaching and research is on international relations, especially IR theory, security, Chinese foreign policy, and international relations in the Asia-Pacific. Of particular interest to me are issues that stand at the nexus of international and domestic politics, such as influences on nationalism and the consequences of major power competition on the domestic politics of third countries. I also enjoy looking at historical material in my research. In addition to my academic background, I have experience working in think-tanks both in Singapore and in the United States. As such, I also look at the relationship between political science theory and policy, and believe the two can inform each other.

I am author of External Intervention and the Politics of State Formation–China, Indonesia, Thailand, 1893-1952 (Cambridge, 2012), which received the 2013 Best Book Award from the International Security Studies Section of the International Studies Association.

Photo Credit: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-981-95-1507-3_44#citeas