Political Development Of Singapore

This thesis critically examines the constitutional, structural and radical approaches to the study of Singapore, and emphasizes the need to adopt a more inclusive approach which takes into account the history, political economy, ethnic composition and immigrant ethic, political institutions, and highly flexible domestic and international policies which Singapore adopted for her economic and social development. One of the most neglected aspects in scholarly writings on Singapore is how her immigrant population, and its cultural values, were blended in the drive towards the modernization of Singapore's economy and society. In the sense the impetus from 'below' became most critical to her development. Such a contribution is examined in detail in this thesis. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

`The thesis presented here will not only change the way in which we understand contemporary Singaporean society and the relationship between the state and its citizens, but will also provoke a debate about the social costs of economic development in other parts of the world, and the future security of the island republic - increasingly a Chinese enclave in a Malay sea - in the twenty-first century.' - Peter Carey, Trinity College, Oxford This study examines the development of Singapore's complex system of social regulation in relation to the phases of its economic strategy and political transition. It focuses on the way social control works through public housing and welfare, education, parliamentary politics and the law. It draws out the implications of such comprehensive control for political conflict. Popular explanations for Singapore's success and its status as a model for other developing countries are brought into question.

Singapore has its critics, but the city-state has achieved remarkable successes as a result of the voluntary trade-off of certain political rights for economic and social progress. In Governing Singapore, Raj Vasil supports this national bargain. He argues that in Asian new states like Singapore, economic and social under-development, as well as ethnic diversity and divisions make it impossible for Western liberal democracy to function effectively as an instrument of popular rule. The problems of under-development faced by Asian new states since decolonisation and independence continue to prove that democracy alone is not enough - national development and the need to adapt democracy to economic and social realities are equally important. Through reconciling democracy with national development, Singapore has transformed from a poor, backward Third World island into a prosperous and dynamic First World nation. Today Singapore is far better prepared for greater democratisation and increased popular participation.

A comprehensive overview of politics in Singapore since self-governance. The authors examine how this tiny island has developed into a global financial centre and an economic and social success under the leadership of the People's Action Party which has ruled continuously since 1959. The authors explore the nature of the Singaporean government, as well as major issues such as ethnicity, human rights and the development of civil society.

It uses a political economy approach to analyse how Singapore made its growth and development.

This book shows that there is a complex relationship between economic strategy, social control and political conflict in Singapore.