Papers by Melody Sim
Singapore stands out as one of the unique cases in which a one-party system thrives amidst increa... more Singapore stands out as one of the unique cases in which a one-party system thrives amidst increasing affluence. However, ever since the 2011 General Election, when the PAP experienced its worst electoral performance in the history of the country, many have started to question the survivability of the one-party system. In particular, some argue that the rise of post-materialism among younger voters and a maturing opposition pose a threat to the PAP’s dominance. Based on survey data collected from a sample survey among 560 Singaporean voters, this research study argues that the PAP’s dominance is very much entrenched. In other words, the one-party system is likely to survive despite the changing political landscape of Singapore. This is due to four main factors: (1) the PAP’s credibility (2) the conservatism of society (3) a weak opposition and (4) the PAP’s ability to adapt to change.
Thesis Chapters by Melody Sim
Singapore has often received praise for being adept at maintaining amicable relations between bot... more Singapore has often received praise for being adept at maintaining amicable relations between both the US and China, even amidst increasingly volatile US-China relations. However, in recent years, as China’s dominance becomes increasingly entrenched in the region, China-Singapore relations have started to display some cracks, causing many to be concerned about how Singapore can continue to protect its national interest vis-à-vis a now risen China. By conducting a three- tiered foreign policy analysis of Singapore’s foreign policy towards China – which includes the individual, state and system levels – I argue that Singapore should refocus its priority to fully engage China and cease to rely extensively on the US. This is in light of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region and the US’ diminishing levels of commitment under the Trump administration. In the individual-level analysis, I also argue that contrary to popular belief, the absence of Singapore’s highly respected founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, does not have as significant an impact on China-Singapore relations as it may seem.
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Papers by Melody Sim
Thesis Chapters by Melody Sim