Re-politicization in Singapore?—An Analysis on University Students' Sense of Political Efficacy

• Main Authors: Ke-wei Liu, 劉科位
• Other Authors: MEI-HSIEN LEE
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/27701615051134068802

碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 東南亞研究所 === 98 === From 1946 to 1959, after World War II, Singapore departed from Japanese Empire conquest and reverted to British control. The British Empire declined after the war, and it had changed the governance strategy on Singapore to fit the local practice. Meanwhile, Singapore established a new political system and underwent reform of the electoral system which had lot of restrictions. The changes in the political environment and the public started feeling the advantages of the electoral reform. At the same time, in order to resist the colonial government of the unequal treatment, the social movements which were mobilized by students and labor led the society to concern about the political affairs of Singapore. Since then, Singapore’s political affairs were dominated by elites and upper class society, instead of colonial government. In other words, Singapore’s political affairs were integrated into the local society. This study will observe the current political phenomenon in Singapore, with using the above political context as “politicalization period” of Singapore. However, between 1959 and 1984, there is a phenomenon of “de- politicalization” in Singapore. Since the separation of Singapore and Malaysia in 1965, Singapore sank into crucial moments. In order to resolve Singapore from the critical international situation, Lee's government worked hard, hoping to find opportunities for Singapore. The government decided to focus on trade and financial development. The government realized that it has to have a stable social and living environment in order to attract the interests from the multinational companies. To achieve this goal, the government enacted a variety of harsh laws, and even continued practice the Internal Security Act which was implemented during the colonial period. Under the harsh laws, the society is a perfect order. Meanwhile, apathy and alienation on political affairs can be seen in the people of Singapore, caused a phenomenon of “de- politicalization” in the society. After 1984, Singapore achieves highly economic development and enjoys the economic status of one of the most economically developed countries of the world. The current great economic development, differences of social structure, social mobility, information technology and so on are challenging the social order, which seem to challenge the government as well, and perhaps change the Singapore to be a society of re- politicalization. This study will focus on Singapore undergraduate students who are considered as the pioneer of social movement, and analyze their sense of political efficacy, to find out if there is sign of “re- politicalization”.