Neither Civil Nor Servant: Singapore's Disruptive Economic Playbook

Philip Yeo is the Institute of Policy Studies' 16th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book is an edited collection of his three IPS-Nathan Lectures, delivered from March to June 2025, and includes highlights of question-and-answer segments with our audience. Mr Yeo shares his bold and unconventional approach to shaping Singapore's economic future, examining the past, present and future of Singapore's economic strategy across three interconnected themes: economic development, research and development (R&D) and innovation, and enterprise growth. A firm believer in talent development, Mr Yeo has mentored young leaders and established scholarship programmes to cultivate Singapore's next generation of industry pioneers. Reflecting on Singapore's rise as a global manufacturing hub, the role of innovation in driving progress, and the journey of local enterprises expanding internationally, he offers insights into the key drivers of Singapore's economic transformation and the challenges ahead.