PROLONGED ONE PARTY DOMINANCE : A CASE STUDY OF THE PAP IN CONTEMPORARY SINGAPORE

Abstract

This study consists of two distinct but connected sections. The first chapter examines the phenomenon of prolonged one-party dominance for the PAP, LDP and PRI by developing a model of the sources and consequences of prolonged dominance. The study uses an organizing framework with three levels of analysis. One-party dominance is thus examined at the environmental, political system and dominant party levels. The next three chapters examines the changing context of PAP's dominance, the problems and challenges it faces in contemporary Singapore and how it responds to the changed context and the problems and challenges. The study attempts to show that there are common sources of dominance across the three rather different countries as well as common consequences and problems that dominant parties would encounter in situations of prolonged dominance. It also tries to examine PAP's electoral decline since the 1984 general elections in terms of the changed environment, changes within the political system and the problems and challenges which it is facing. The response by the PAP is rather interesting and in certain ways unique. It is quite clear from the discussion that the PAP is not committed to full political liberalization but is rather trying to co-opt emerging groups and maintain the existing system, tempered with changes in governing style and constitutional reforms to preserve its dominance.