COMMUNITY CENTRES AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE : 1951-1969

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine systematically the roles, capabilities and achievements of the Community Centres in the political development of the country. Since this is a relatively unexplored field of research, this thesis is of a descriptive and exploratory nature. Community Centres have gone through a complex series of developments. The first chapter traces the origins of the Community Centres and discusses the reasons that account for their insignificant early existence. Since 1959, the Community Centres have been resuscitated by the PAP Government to play a more dynamic role in the political process. More specifically the Community Centres have been designed for the creation of a participant political culture and a more integrated society and the effective implementation of the goals of the PAP Government. Chapters Two and Three show the ability of the PAP to control the Community Centres and the reorganisation which has been undertaken by the Community Centres to fulfil these objectives. As part of the reorganisation of the Community Centres in 1959, the PAP set up the People's Association with a view to control and coordinate the activities of the Centres in political socialisation. Chapter Four discusses the organisational evolution of the People’s Association. This Chapter shows the reasons that have compromised organisational effectiveness. Two hypotheses regarding the organisational effectiveness of the People's Association are put forward for consideration. The fifth Chapter discusses the current functions, organisation and personnel of the Community Centres. The focus of the current functions is directed at implementing Government policies through ''controlled mass participation and mobilisation". Also, this Chapter shows that more initiative has to be given by the political leadership and the Management Committees to the professional Centre staff if the Centres' role-implementing capacities are not to be hindered. The concluding chapter appraises the roles, capabilities and achievements of the Community Centres. Evidence shows that the Centres have achieved relative success to date and that they are likely to be more successful in the future.