List of Episodes

Each episode is listed with its title, followed by the key question(s) that the episode is trying to answer, and then the airdate (or projected airdate) in brackets. Links go to the episode page in Soundcloud. Scripts of the episodes are available to supporters on Patreon.

1. Introduction and Origins: “What is this podcast trying to achieve?”, and “What is the origin of Singapore as an independent state?” (7 Aug 2015)
2. Government of the people and by the people: “What are the origins of representative government in Singapore?” (14 Aug 2015)
3. The 99%: “How did local politics originate in Singapore?” (21 Aug 2015)
4. A New Hope: “Where did nationalism come from, and why does it matter?” (28 Aug 2015)

Special Episode I: A Short History of Elections in Singapore (4 Sept 2015)

5. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism – : “Why did nationalism arise in Singapore, and what were the chief visions of nationalism/postcolonialism in Singapore?” (11 Sept 2015)
6. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism I – Modernist Islam, Malay Islam, and Malayan Nationalism – An interview with Dr Nurfadzilah Yahaya: “What was the Islamic response to nationalism, and how did this impact Malayan nationalism?” (18 Sept 2015)
7. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism II – Politics goes into Labour: “What are the origins of class consciousness and political labour in Singapore?” (25 Sept 2015)
8. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism III – Orang Cina Malaya: “How did the Chinese become Malayan?” (2 Oct 2015)
9. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism IV – To the Left, To the Left, Everything you own in a box to the Left: “What are the origins of the Malayan Left-wing movements?” (16 Oct 2015)
10. The Origins of Malayan Nationalism V – Those Dangerous Subversive Asian values: “What was the British response to the growth of local nationalism?” (23 Oct 2015)
11. The Enemy of My Enemy – “How did the Anti-Japanese National Salvational Movement catalyse local nationalism in Malaya?” (30 Oct 2015)
12. Questions & Answers I (6 Nov 2015)
13. The Yellow Lion and the Red Sun: “How did the Japanese Occupation affect Malayan independence?” (27 Nov 2015)
14. Whose Country?: “What was the impact of the partition of Malaya?” (4 Dec 2015)
15. The Two Singapores: “What was the impact of the Malayan Emergency on Singapore?” (11 Dec 2015)
16. Chinese Education I – The Crowdfunded University: “What is the significance of Nanyang University?” (18 Dec 2015)
17. Chinese Education II –IndoctriNation: “Why was Chinese education such a hot button topic in late colonial Singapore?” (8 Jan 2016)
18. Chinese Education III – The “Riot Squad Brutally Beats Up A Group of Unarmed Students on 13 May 1954” Incident: “Why did the 1954 National service protests occur?” (15 Jan 2016)
19. Chinese Education IV – A Force Awakens: “How did the Chinese education issue alter Singapore’s politics?” (22 Jan 2016)
20. Our Only Free and Fair Election: “Why did David Marshall and the Labour Front win the 1955 elections?” (29 Jan 2016)
21. The Hock Lee Bus Litmus Test: “Why did the Hock Lee Bus strike occur?” (5 Feb 2016)
22. de Tocqueville in Singapore: “Why was Singapore engulfed in strikes from 1955-56?” (12 Feb 2016)
23. Living in a Time of Deception: An Interview with Dr Poh Soo Kai (19 Feb 2016)
24. The spirit of Afro-Asia: “How did the spirit of Bandung 1955 influence Singapore politics?” (11 March 2016)
25. Questions & Answers II (18 March 2016)
26. The Lion of Singapore: “Who is David Marshall, and how did he become Chief Minister?” (22 April 2016)
27. The Living Buddha: “Why is David Marshall so beloved by Singaporeans?” (29 April 2016)
28. Christmas Pudding in Arsenic Sauce: “Why did the 1956 constitutional talks fail?” (6 May 2016)
29. Game of Thrones: “What was the impact of David Marshall’s resignation?” (13 May 2016)
30. Pah Mata: “Why were mass arrests carried out in 1956?” (20 May 2016)
31. The Big Kelong: “Why did the 1957 constitutional talks succeed?” (27 May 2016)

Special Episode II: A Short History of Sexuality in Singapore (3 June 2016)

32. The Cardinals of the Kremlin: “Why did the PAP change its organisational structure in 1957?” (10 June 2016)
33. The Apogee of Democracy: “What did the people of Singapore really want?” (17 June 2016)
34. Housing the People: An Interview with Dr Loh Kah Seng – “What was it like to live in Singapore as we moved from kampongs to HDB flats?” (24 June 2016)
35. The Turning Point: “Why did the PAP win the 1959 election, and why is 1959 so important?” (1 July 2016)
36. Winning’s Easy. Governing’s Harder.: “What was the PAP’s first year in power like?” (8 July 2016)
37. The Nature of Colonialism: “Why was detention without trial such an important issue?” (15 July 2016)
38. Pride Cometh Before The Fall: “Why did the PAP lose the Hong Lim and Anson by-elections?” (22 July 2016)
39. The Malayan Dream: “Why did Singaporeans want merger?” (29 July 2016)
40. The Mercy of the Tunku: “Who or what instigated the reunification of Malaya (aka Merger)?”  (5 August 2016)
41. Lord Selkirk’s Tea Party: “Why did the PAP split in July 1961?” (12 August 2016)
42. Hobson’s Choice: “How and why did people vote as they did in the referendum on Merger?” (19 August 2016)
43. Operation Coldstore I – The Night of Long Knives: “Why was Operation Coldstore carried out?” (26 August 2016)
44. Operation Coldstore II – Operation Coldstore: “Why was Operation Coldstore carried out?” (2 September 2016)
45. The Man, the Myth, the Legend: “Who is Lim Chin Siong and why does he matter?” (9 September 2016)
46. Selamat Hari Malaysia: “Why was the creation of Malaysia so contentious even after Coldstore?” (16 September 2016)
47. The 1964 Political Riots: “Why did riots occur in Singapore in 1964?” (23 September 2016)
48. The Chinese Ultra: “Why did Singapore separate from the rest of Malaysia?” (30 September 2016)
49. Separation: “What are the consequences of Singapore’s reunification and separation from Malaysia?” (7 October 2016)
50. Question and Answers III (7 October 2016)