Which post-independence country most effectively mitigated ethnic and racial conflicts?

Singapore is widely recognised as the post-independence country that most effectively mitigated ethnic and racial conflicts.

After gaining independence in 1965, Singapore faced significant ethnic and racial tensions among its Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations. However, the government, led by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, implemented a series of policies to promote racial harmony and national unity. These policies were designed to prevent the dominance of any one ethnic group and to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

One of the key strategies was the implementation of a multiracial housing policy. The government's Housing and Development Board (HDB) established ethnic quotas for public housing estates to ensure a balanced racial mix. This policy aimed to prevent the formation of racial enclaves and to promote interaction and understanding among different ethnic groups.

In addition, the government introduced the Ethnic Integration Policy in 1989, which set a quota for the proportion of units in HDB blocks and precincts that could be owned by a particular racial group. This policy was designed to maintain racial balance in HDB estates and to prevent the formation of racial enclaves.

The government also made efforts to promote multiculturalism and mutual respect among different ethnic groups. The education system played a crucial role in this regard. Schools taught in English, the common language, but students were also required to learn their mother tongue to preserve their ethnic heritage. Furthermore, the curriculum included lessons on racial harmony and the importance of multiculturalism.

The government also established the Presidential Council for Minority Rights to scrutinize all legislation to ensure that they do not discriminate against any racial or religious group. Moreover, the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act was enacted to prevent religious leaders from inciting hatred or ill-will between different religious groups.

These policies have been largely successful in maintaining racial harmony in Singapore. While there have been occasional racial incidents, they have been relatively minor and have not escalated into widespread conflict. The government's proactive approach in managing racial relations and promoting multiculturalism has been key to this success.