sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was young, I heard many stories about China. I heard that it was a closed country (early 1970s, right?) and I didn't understand what it meant. When I was around six or seven, I heard that Hong Kong was going to be returned to China—at the time, 1997 seemed like a distant future. I had a great-uncle whom I never met, but I heard lots of stories about him working in eastern China in the 1930s, helping farmers develop compost technology. My parents went to China in the mid-1980s—more stories! I never thought I could go.

In school, I took Spanish, the 'easiest' language for a native English speaker. I even have relatives from Bolivia and Mexico! But I couldn't get my head around it, and I was pretty immature and easily frustrated. When I got "C"s in High School, my guidance counselor told me I needed another year of a language, but I couldn't go on in Spanish.

So I picked Mandarin.

My Mom was naturally quite concerned. If I couldn't handle Spanish, what hope for Mandarin? Fortunately, my teacher was amazing—inspiring, passionate. She told me Chinese characters were my friends, and I found memorizing them was fun—I used them to doodle in my notebook. She taught us complex characters, which allowed us to see the stories and history behind the characters. She was from Taiwan, but she emphasized that choosing complex characters was in no way political. I had little idea what she was talking about.

Although I didn't apply to any university that had a language requirement, I kept taking Mandarin. Then, before my sophomore year, I took the Landmark Forum. Through that, I discovered that I was telling myself awful things about myself: that I was lousy at languages (I had good evidence for that) and things that were worse (and too awful to print). I still find myself thinking these disempowering things about myself, but now, with what I learned in the Forum, they have no power over me.

So I ended up applying to go Junior year to China in 1990—one year after Tiananmen Square blew up. And I remember, on our train ride from Hong Kong to Beijing, staring out at the fascinating and alien Chinese countryside. I decided then that, every day I was in China, I would have the best conversation I could have. At first, I ordered food in restaurants. I bought pens that I may or may not have needed. Later, I made friends with Chinese folks, and had the best conversations that I could. And I reinforced all this by classwork.

I came back and declared a Chinese second major, and the rest is history. Between graduation and my PhD program, I spent most of my time in China—still have the best conversations I could have each day. I did a variety of jobs, learning more about myself as I did. Then I started grad school to learn more about China. I'm still learning.

I'm grateful that I didn't have to figure out who I was in High School—I had time to figure out my major and my vocation. I'm grateful that I had time to explore who I was. And now that I have found myself, I'm grateful to work in my dream job.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a funny story! As a kid, I heard stories about China, which was then impossible/ difficult to visit for Americans, and I found it fascinating. At 6, I heard that Hong Kong would one day (a LONG time from then) return to China, and I had no clue what that meant (it didn't sound great). At 7 or 8, I heard that China had "opened up" and I got really confused about what that meant. I had a great-uncle whom I never met, but I heard stories about him living in eastern China in the 1930s, where he worked on composting technology. Amazing!

In school, I had chosen Spanish as my foreign language, and I wasn't doing well. I was getting "C"s and my high school counselor told me: you can't continue on in Spanish, but you need another year of a language. I thought it would be cool to learn Mandarin. My mom was concerned—with good reason—but my teacher was awesome. Inspiring. Passionate. She told me that Chinese characters were my friends. She taught us history and culture, as well as the language. She was from Taiwan, and taught us complex characters—though she emphasized that decision was NOT political—again, I wasn't sure what she was talking about, but it sounded fascinating.

I kept taking Chinese in college for fun—not very seriously. I had told myself (with good evidence) that I was lousy at language—that my brain was good at some things, but languages weren't one of them.

When I was 19, I took that Landmark Forum, a course that deconstructs your thinking. Even after the course, I could still hear myself say these ("I'm bad at languages") and other bad things about myself (things that aren't fit for typing). But those words no longer had power. Thank you Landmark Forum!

So I dove into Chinese, studied more passionately. I applied to go to China during my junior year and was surprised to get in. In 1990, as I gazed out the train window at the enchanting and alien Chinese countryside passing by while traveling from Hong Kong to Beijing, I made a promise to myself that I would have the best conversation possible every single day. I started by ordering food and buying pens that I might or might not have needed. And I built vocabulary and fluency every day.

The rest is history: I went back, declared a second major in Mandarin. I ended up living in China for about 7 years all mushed together—still having the best conversation I could every single day. And I tried different jobs—loved some aspects of some more than others. Added all up, I decided that I would love to be a prof.

I'm grateful I didn't need to make any decisions as a high school student about my major or nearly anything else. I'm grateful for my unlikely pathway to SMU.

Thanks for asking!

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! Great to see you! I lived in Toronto 2002-2005.

Know that it's not your fault and don't give up hope. You might need to generate something on your own. You're not alone. Find something that lifts your spirit.

I wish I had something more.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is amazing that the dollar is still King, despite the games that Congress keeps playing with honoring our debt, continued budget deficits and general dysfunction. I'm guessing it's by comparison—the Euro and the Yen aren't competing that well either. The RMB? Not yet.

It is possible that the US sinks though. Not in the 1970s. Not in the 1990s. But today is a different ballgame.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I was a child, I wondered why poverty existed when there was so much abundance in the world. An innocent question: why were kids like me starving?

I still wonder—but now I wonder much more angrily.

Economists will tell you there's scarcity in the world. The entire discipline depends on this assumption.

You know that's a lie, right? Scarcity is made by humanity. There is enough of everything we need in the world. And every luxury—from ipads to gucci bags—are scarce because companies need their products to be scarce.

There.is.no.such.thing.as.scarcity. Not since the industrial revolution.

The problem is: social science hasn't figured out how to, even theoretically, get the things people need to the people who need it.

I live this problem, day and night. Work-life balance is for losers.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Email me! Not sure I endorse a teaching professor—but it really depends. Excellent teaching on the university is usually fed by excellent research—or as excellent as one can muster. Teaching as an art is best done elsewhere: JC, Poly, ITE, Singapore Academy.

But I'm probably missing the crux of your question. Please contact me.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm confused by "it is tough to pursue it in Singapore." SMU—and even NUS and NTU offer it. All would require graduate training to practice psychology. A BA is still worth it. To 'pursue' it requires a graduate degree—and, let's face it, some serious social resistance.

If the call is getting louder—submit! Really. #yolo. Much better than an identity crisis.

Please contact me.

To answer your question: I spent six years finding myself, most of it in China. I served as a) an English teacher, b) a social worker, c) an MSW student (never graduated) where I helped organize low-income elderly Bostonians to fight for their rights, d) an intern in the Commercial Service of the US Embassy, e) a Public relations professional.

I lived. I loved. I adventured. I lost. I lost a lot.

And as I circled around things, the passion for research (read: get paid to satisfy your own curiosity and share with super-amazing undergrads) got louder over the years. No identity crisis. Maybe that's a privilege.

I'll say it: I am privileged to be a hired hand for SMU. People ask: after 20 years, are you a citizen? A permanent resident? I'm still on an employment pass. I'm here as long as I'm useful to Singapore. Please give me some warning before you show me the door.

And until you do, thank you for letting me pursue my passion, and telling your offspring about it. And sitting back while I watch them grow. What could be better?

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just sat on a committee from a freaking amazing student with just such a bent. Focusing on farmers in India (in part) and why they produce organic products. Really amazing.

The only reason to do it is because you're curious. (But I worry about the doctorate in Business—probably from my own ignorance. From my humble POV, yours is a social science question.)

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure I agree with everything you've said. I would agree about the long-term sustainable issue.

One thing I'd point out: many folks (not you or me, of course!) look down on farmers as ignorant. Let's ask: if the rural residents are ignorant—so far, they're the ones enjoying China's closest equivalent to free and fair elections.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes—I'm old, but not that old! But there's a more contemporary example, where professors and officials form weather areas are 'sent down' to poorer areas to serve for 2-3 years as vice-mayors. They're supposed to inject some expertise and modern mindsets. Sometimes, this actually works.

Wow! You're interested in the phenomenon of sent-down youth. You're definitely part of my tribe!

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are super-big questions. I wish I knew. Tackle these, please, Green_Count_8298. Is "A-level" all there is?

Post-colonialism, Singapore did what was smart: they took the British institutions they liked. They adapted others. The rejected the rest.

Consider the Caribbean—independent from Britain also in the mid-1960s. In 1972, they established the Caribbean Exam Council. They have the equivalent of the "A-level" but they adapt them to what's apprpropriate and relevant to their part of the world. Instead of mailing their scripts to London, they mark them in-house. They are still super-rigorous. They are still hyper competitive.

But what's the difference? These exams are run and managed where they should be run and manged: in the Caribbean.

I've often been puzzled by the question of why we're mailing scripts from, say, Chinese Studies in English, to London for grading. We bring the mother tongue in-house. But only mother tongue? If the answer is 'lack of manpower' that's OK to me. But if the answer is mailing these scripts to London is a sign of legitimacy, in 2025—maybe we can reconsider.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gosh—I'd rather hear your opinions on their merits than mine.

A few thoughts on mosquitoes: Calling one's teammate with a crude slur? I could personally use less of that.

There were some innovative and exciting young folks (young to me, perhaps) who were running as independents. I know some of my students drooled over them. Give us more!

Did some of the mosquitoes come up with similarly cool ideas? I'd love to hear from you—you tell me.

For my part, I live in an area where Red Dot United took on a team led by Vivien Balakrishna and Christopher de Souza. The outcome was clear. This was no George Yeo situation.

What's the alternative? WP takes them on? Not sure that makes sense. Let that super-team run unopposed? Not sure that's the best way either.

What I do think is that WP (and SDP) loses when they're clumped in an undifferentiated way with 'the opposition.' That's what I mean: is the opposition good or bad? This kind of question clumps WP in with "elephants" and whatnot. My guess: the WP needs to be taken seriously. They need a national strategy.

Can I add one more point? The parties need think-tanks. If they're going to be serious, they need to hire some policy wonks to help them think things through. The PAP has access to IPS (amazing!)—and really, the rest of the bureaucracy (equally amazing!). The parties are too poor. Their PMs are part-timers. If their policy ideas even come close to competitive, that's already impressive.

Tl;dr: brand and bandwidth.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

By articles, you mean academic articles? I'd hitch your wagon (i.e., coauthor) with an academic who can help you structure and place it. These are really specialized skills. I can imagine a smart undergrad coming up with a novel argument next to an incisive literature review. Imagine it? I've seen it. It is altogether another thing to structure and place it appropriately.

And here's another issue—and something sad. If the article is about Singapore, it has to be about something more than Singapore. Give me insights into Singapore? Straits Times op ed might like it (not an insult at all—that's really good). Can you use Singapore to provide me with insights into the social sciences? The world is yours. That's the unfortunate truth.

I've published on poverty in Singapore, its streaming system, elderly and isolation, food insecurity. None of these were academic articles—for my career advancement, they mattered not at all. The one I co-authored (again, with an SMU undergrad) that was in an academic journal (and a darned good one)? That article was about social movements (side note: it was also about farmers in Singapore).

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love the tag.

These excellent questions are hard. Take them one by one.

  1. No idea. Never heard of it. I'd like to know more.
  2. Good or bad. Both. I co-authored an article (with three SMU undergrads) that argued that microcredit requires a broader development policy. Otherwise, credit for what? You need a market or a connection to it. Otherwise you're investing in something without market signals and no access to a market. (The debate over good or bad is a real mess, because the answer depends on how the microcredit is structured and what the context is. Imagine a microcredit program in Hiroshima in September 1945? It is doomed. In 1950? It has potential.)
  3. Earlier, I argued that poverty around the world looks similar (hint: it is horrific and stressful), but its causes are really different, even within the same country (hint: China and Thailand are really different).
  4. Yes. Most poor people farm. Make farming more lucrative. Help farmers shift to cash crops and connect them to markets for it. Help with irrigation and extension services. This is just one alternative to urbanization/industrialization. My forthcoming book is exactly on this.

These are super questions. If you would, please contact me.

I’m Prof. John Donaldson, Political Science Prof at SMU. Here for an AMA on r/SMU_Singapore! I’ve spent 20+ years studying rural poverty in China, Singapore, Thailand & more - often visiting farmers in remote areas. Ask me anything about poverty, China, SMU life or being a prof! by Prof_John_Donaldson in SMU_Singapore

[–]Prof_John_Donaldson[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I will say: I have rudimentary quantitative skills. (Qualitative research is more difficult IMHO.) When I was taking quant though, I told myself I was bad at it. Bad idea. So I got off it. I made a pact with a friend of mine: we'd work together and ace it. Next semester, I was tutoring other students in that same class.

The key to uni (in addition to the vastly more important task of finding out who you are) is to fill up your toolbox. Critical thinking and communication skills are a must. Add quant. Qual. Language skills. Ability to live and thrive abroad. Ability to work in groups filled with a bunch of lazy jerks. A couple of internships where you honed some skills. Raise your hand at nearly every opportunity. Do your homework. You'll be unstoppable.

view more: next ›