[Between Democracy and Leadership]

Asians Four Dragons refer to Hongkong, Korea, the Republic of China and Singapore. Those countries
have achieved massive growth. Some people say the major key of their successes was strong leadership, and it
made the countries became become the newly industrializing industrialized economies. Some people said
dictatorship was an unavoidable in developing nations. In the other hands On the other hand, others said
democracy would lead to the development of the country. Singaporean, Lee Kuan Yew and Korean, Park Chung
hee are renowned not only for being excellent leaders but also for being dictators.

When Singapore was independent from Malaysia, people expected this small island would not stand
alone. At that time, most Singaporeans could not afford to settle their houses and also the unemployment rate
was almost ten percent. Prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew decided to exercise his leadership focusing on
developing Singapore. He proclaimed strict laws and it was not much of a precedent, even he was called
Cromwell in Singapore. He prohibited wearing short pants outside and chewing gums. He took strong
enforcement actions against government corruption and it led to Singapore’s fame as the integrity of politicians
until present.

Park Chung hee seized power in a military coup. He announced parties was were demobilized and
martial law was has been proclaimed all over the country. The government system which should be divided into
the legislative, the judicial, and the administrative was not independent. President Park controlled most powers.
In his initial stage of administration, he conducted the Semael project which was the movement of rural revival
and building plants. The movement spread across the nation and it made Korea overcome the poverty.

Primer Lee Kuan Yew and President Park Chung hee must have knew known and possessed
perceptive perception of the best way to lead the nation. Their strategies were relying on trade, educating
nations, promoting tourism and developing a manufacture. These strategies included geographical conditions
and relevant in era when two countries just were just freed from colonialism which might had nations less feel
rejections against dictatorship.

No matter what both leaders had the political intentions both leaders had, they were masterminds
behind the success of development. I think if they did not seize a regime, the countries might not be like they are
now. However, the thing is that the countries which have been suffering could not develop their country using
dictatorship because the people in this era could not accept it. People already know it was wrong and advanced
countries will not allow it. Therefore, now we need new ways which include democracy and development.