Suchergebnisse

Singapore's new middle class has recently been asserting its preferences & aspirations by seeking greater autonomy from the ruling People's Action Party, but this autonomy is often exercised in the form of consumerism rather than political opposition. Census & statistical data, 1960-1990, show that extraordinary social change has accompanied Singapore's dramatic economic growth. An important aspect of this change is identified as the emergence of a sizable new wealthy strata of society that has asserted itself not only economically, but also culturally & socially. However, because the People's Action Party is also dominated by leaders with professional backgrounds who play a crucial economic role for the new wealthy strata of society, its control over the economy has been extended in this period. Further, because the state has promoted the meritocratic ideology by which the middle class has enjoyed an elevated social status, this class has been incorporated into the existing political ideology. It is noted that the most important political consequence of recent prosperity has been an increase in material disparities, a pattern that represents a challenge for the state, which must compensate for these disparities without compromising its ideology of meritocracy. 5 Tables. D. M. Smith

The notion that cultural clashes between the West and East will either supplant, or increasingly underlie, ideological tensions in the international arena, the author believes, is misleading. He notes that false monoliths are being depicted in the notion of 'Asian values' versus 'Western liberalism' which conceal major ideological and political disputes with Asia and the West. Indeed, it is the universality of these disputes which accounts for the extensive interest outside Asia in the idea of 'Asian values'. The author takes a look at Asia and 'Asian values' against the backdrop of the inernationalization of ideological conflict. (DÜI-Sen)

Singapore's economic expansion in recent decades has been dramatic. However, remarkable Singapore's economic transformation may be, it has been accompanied by equally important social dynamics. After identifying the middle class in this country, the author explores perceptions of a middle-class political threat, nature of middle-class alienation from the ruling PAP (People's Action Party) and the weakening of the 'dictatorship of the middle class'. (DÜI-Sen)

In 1990 Goh Chok Tong became Singapore's second prime minister since self-government was instituted in 1959, with the former leader, Lee Kuan Yew, assuming the post of senior minister in the new cabinet. This transfer of power was the culmination of a decade of self-renewal and preparation within the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) as a new generation of leaders assumed the mantle. The author examines the significance of the leadership transition for the prospects of political liberalization in this country. (DÜI-Sen)

Review article of the book "Management of success: the moulding of modern Singapore" edited by Kernial Singh Sandhu and Paul Wheatley. Topics covered by various authors in the book include the colonial legacy, political leadership, public policy processes, economic structuring, social and cultural change, the legal system, foreign relations, domestic security, and ethnic and community relations. G. Rodan stresses the point made by Sandhu and Wheatley in an essay that PAP (People's Action Party) leaders are guided by a coherent ideology. (DÜI-Sen)