Communitarian Ideology and Democracy in Singapore / Edition 1

by Beng-Huat Chua

Overview

The economic success of Singapore has established the country as a model for other nations. Yet until now the ideas behind this accomplishment have not been critically examined.
Communitarian Ideology and Democracy in Singapore fills this gap. The book outlines the policies the ruling party has adopted over the past three decades. It charts the government's move away from Western concepts towards the evolution of 'Asian democracy'. The author analyses this anti-liberal democracy and the government's motives for repackaging cultural heritage into a national ideology of Asian communitarianism.
This book avoids the polarization that has tended to characterise texts on Asian governments. It neither concentrates on a history of authoritarian repression nor unequivocally praises the regime but critically examines its political success. As such it provides a new and balanced account to the student of Singapore politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415164658
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/01/1997
Series:	Politics in Asia
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chua Beng-Huat is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the National University of Singapore.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Ideological trajectory: from authoritarianism to Communitarianism 2 Reopening ideological discussion 3 Pragmatism of the PAP government: a critical Assessment 4 The business of living: transformation of everyday life 5 The making of a new nation: cultural construction and national identity 6 Not depoliticised but ideologically successful: the public housing programme 7 Confucianisation abandoned 8 Building the political middle ground 9 Towards a non-liberal communitarian democracy, Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

'As a reading of post-colonial Singapore history it is an invaluable text, as it recasts the developments of the last three decades in a new analytical light, and is full of useful interpretations of material which in themselves would be familiar to any informed commentator on this fascinating little society, and it raises important questions about the future of democracy.' - Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, Vol 29 No.2 98

From the Publisher