Hegemonic Electoral Authoritarianism in Singapore

This chapter illustrates how Singapore has transformed dramatically since the 1960s with politics that still rested on foundations which Lee Kuan Yew laid. It talks about Lee Kuan Yew's consolidated leadership that regrouped Singapore quickly after 1965. Lee and his People's Action Party (PAP) claimed the added legitimacy of being founding parents, charting Singapore's independent path. The chapter also describes how Singapore throws into sharp relief the patterns seen in Malaysia, as opposition parties have had far less chance to make their mark. Not only has the PAP changed over time but it has changed Singapore's political culture, including how voters understand politics, assess politicians, and approach the regime.

Drivers of Stasis and Change

This chapter revises the usual understanding of regimes and regime transitions, including what a genuine transition might entail. It recommends a mix of structural, political-cultural, ideological, and praxis-oriented angles to understand and assess regimes and political change. Over time the workings of politics under electoral authoritarianism may shift the contest from one of policy or ideology toward less differentiable issues of mundane management and microlevel accessibility and acquisition. The chapter focuses on structural innovation at the local level. By supplementing national-level electoral tactics, electoral authoritarian regimes discipline the public and opposition parties that gradually permeates political culture and everyday political praxis. It also points out the implications of patterns that shape politician–voter linkages, premises for accountability and assessing alternatives, and the range of players with stakes in the system-that-is.