The Democratization of Singapore

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the process of democratization underway in Singapore. Singapore continues to have a single ruler with almost autocratic power, and this ruler is reluctant to let go of his iron grip on the nation. The paper discusses how, due to this fact, Singapore continues to remain a pseudo-democracy, caught in limbo between freedom and oppression. The paper describes how the government of Singapore functions and the results for the people.

From the Paper:

"It is the focus on the family and "traditional" Asian family values that attract many Singaporeans to loyalty to the government of the People's Action Party. For example, it is an Asian custom for children to take care of their parents when the parents get old. In Singapore, this is taken a step further, with parental support being a legal obligation of children, and parents can actually sue their children for non-support. Further, women are not allowed to report themselves as heads of households on official documents. There are also government-sponsored programs in place to encourage educated women to have children. This focus on the family is meant to keep people from becoming radical individualists by putting their identification with a family group that is presented as being greater than the individual."

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