THE POLITICS OF RECESSION IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The effect of economic decline on political behaviour is well documented. Reactions to the performance of the economy have been the major determinant of electoral outcomes the world over. This has been used as evidence that there is a direct linkage between politics and economics and that the politics of recession show a strong shift away from the government of the day. There is however little research on the interplay between politics and economics in Singapore in recessionary times, primarily because Singapore has registered high growth averaging 9 per cent per annum over the last 20 years. Hence, the recession in 1985, the most severe since 1964, provides a rare opportunity to embark on a contemporary study on the nature of political activity and political allegiance in a situation of economics decline. Although the findings revealed that the recession has stimulated political awakening and consciousness among the electorate, political bargaining and competition common in many countries has not developed here. Instead, political arrangements by the governing leadership is the significant feature in the Singapore polity. The conclusion points clearly to the influence of recent history and the dominant culture of Singapore in shaping the political behaviour of the government and the electorate in the current recession