Pre-Industrial Singapore: General Structural Developments up until 1959

Abstract

The incorporation of Singapore into the British colonial empire arose out of a very specific historical struggle between imperial powers for access to and control over Oriental trade. This had very definite implications for the structure of the economy which developed. In view of the considerable strategic advantages Singapore offered in the contest for commercial superiority, from the outset the British intended specific economic functions to be performed there. Though there were some modifications over time in the nature of Singapore’s trading role, these were invariably linked to the logic and dynamism of British colonialism and capital. The various other economic activities of any significance which developed in Singapore also derived in one way or another from the trade which passed through its port. This trade-based economy soon became intricately related with the commerce of the region in such a way that opportunities for capital accumulation perpetuated the basic economic structure imposed by British colonialism. As a result there was a long delay in manufacturing development in Singapore.