SingaporePresented by: Lim Oun

Sakhan PhallenDin KuntheaLy VenghongChhorng Kanika

Institute of Foreign LanguagesDepartment of International Studies

Contents

• History of Political Events in Singapore

• Singapore Political Culture• Political Parties• The Constitution• Election in Singapore• Is Singapore a Democratic

Country?• Conclusion• Q & A

History of Political Events

• A Republic with a parliamentary system of government

• First and limited election was in 1948

• 1955 election was the most lively political contest

• Attain the self-government in 1959

• September 16, 1963 Singapore joined Malaya, Sabah (North Berneo) and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia

History of Political Events

9th August 1965

1966

1981

28th November,19

90

24th August, 2004

Present

Worker’s Party of Singapore’s J.B. Jeyaretnam was

elected into parliament

Goh Cheok Tong

Lee Hsien Loong

Barisan Socialis Party (Social Front)

resigned

People’s Action Party (APA)

Singapore’s Political Culture

Singaporean believe in Pragmatism

National Security and Democratization depends on Economic

Confucian plays a vital role in guiding the gov’t; while loyalty regarded as the country value.

Singapore takes pride in its so-called “Oriental Democracy”. Chinese covered by around 76% of the whole population. (the combination of democracy & authoritarianism)

Singapore’s Political Culture Con.t

The Singaporean Spirit is nurtured through education authority & discipline

The ruling government must devoid of corruption

Singapore is a centralized, authoritarian, and statist.

They valued activism and will, and tried to devise policies, programs, or campaigns to deal with all problems.

Political Parties• Singapore consists of 46 parties

• Only 12/46 are active to date: Democratic Progressive Party, National Solidarity Party, People’s Action Party, People’s Active Party, People’s Liberal Democratic Party, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura, Reform Party, Singapore People’s Party, Singapore National Front, and Worker’s Party.

• PAP (People’s Action Party), established on November 21st 1954.

• PAP Socialist Lee Kuan Yew

• PAP’s ideology as a pledge saying “ to build a strong, united Party, to create vibrant, just and equal society, through achieving excellence by all, so that every citizen, regardless of race, language or religion, can enjoy a full and happy life”.

• PAP rules over all media in Singapore easy to launch its campaign

Political Parties (cont.)

• WP (Worker’s Party) established in 1957

• WP’s ideology: “to provide economic security and stability, brighter education for younger generation, and other aspects that are the same to PAP”.

• WP Political parties exist to serve you!

• WP’s main objective:

• “To organize and maintain a political party to give effect to the three-fold principle of Merdeka, Democracy (Parliamentary) and Socialism”.

The Constitution

• 09 August, 1965

• 14 Parts:

• Three Branches

• Citizenship

• Fundamental Rights and Freedom

• Public Services, etc.

President Executive Parliament Judiciary

General Election

Effective Power

General Election

Chief of Justice: Appointed by

President + Advice of PM

Appoint PM/ (Members of Cabinet with Advice of PM) Law Making

Given assent by the President

Withhold the consent to a request for

dissolution of the Parliament

Veto power but must consult with CPA to

refuse or revoke gov’t budget and key

appointments to public offices

Accountable to the Parliament

Critical and Inquisition Role:

Raise questions for Ministers’

responsibilities

Judges of Appeal + Judges of High

Court:Appointed by

President + (PM + Consult with Chief of

Justice)

Other affairs, consult with the cabinet

Financial Control:Ministers’

responsibilities

Judges of Subordinate Courts:

Appointed by President + Advice of

Chief of Justice

Election in SingaporeType of Constituencies

- Group Representation- Single Member

Election in Singapore

• Voters• Not less than 21-year-old• Citizens of Singapore• Resident in Singapore

• Presidential Election• Vote directly by citizens - 1991• Cooling-Off Day

Election in Singapore Cont.

• Parliamentary Election• General Election• By-Election

• Members of Parliamentary• Elected MPs (15 GRCs & 12 SMCs = 87

MPs)• Non-Constituencies MPs (9 MPs)• Nominated MPs (9 MPs)

Is Singapore a Democratic Country?

• Robert Dahl’s 6 characteristics of democracy:

1. Elected officials => Yes

2. Free, fair, and frequent elections => No

3. Freedom of expression => No

4. Alternative sources of information => No

5. Associational autonomy => No

6. Inclusive citizenship => Yes

Is Singapore a Democratic Country?

(cont.)• Polity score: -2, closed anocracy

Conclusion

• The political system has not evolved much.

• PAP is the strongest party.

• General election in Singapore is unfair.

• Singapore is not a democratic country.