| Located at the southern tip of the Malay | | | | There is essentially a one-party system controlled |
| peninsula, Singapore is literally a 'city-state' | | | | by the People's Action Party (PAP), though there |
| comprised of six small islands with limited land | | | | are other political parties; the Workers' Party of |
| area. Slightly more than 4 1/2 million people | | | | Singapore, the Singapore Democratic Party and |
| occupy and area about 3 1/2 times the size of | | | | Singapore Democratic Alliance. Most analysts |
| Washington, DC. | | | | consider Singapore to be a procedural democracy, |
| After receiving their independence from British | | | | rather than a true democracy. The nation has also |
| rule, that had been reestablished after World War | | | | been described as a "hybrid regime made up of |
| II, Singapore, essentially an island nation, joined | | | | authoritarian and democratic parts." |
| other island nations to become Malasia. This | | | | Though the elections have not been plagued by |
| affiliation was short-lived and Singapore broke | | | | voter fraud and illegalities, it has been charged |
| away and established a separate country in the | | | | that the electoral system has been manipulated |
| mid 1960s. | | | | by the PAP. It has also been alleged that the |
| A parliamentary democracy was set up, with a | | | | courts are aligned with the PAP. In essense, The |
| Westminster system, a unicameral government | | | | Republic of Singapore is authoritarian with only a |
| with only one Chamber. Executive power rests | | | | superficial resemblance to a true democracy. |
| with the Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister. | | | | The legal system is descended from English |
| The office of President is mainly a ceremonial | | | | Common Law, influenced by British Indian laws. |
| one, but he does have limited veto powers on | | | | PAP, the ruling party, rejects many of the |
| the use of national reserves and judiciary | | | | democratic values laid out by the laws, accusing |
| appointments. The Presidency is an elected | | | | them of being 'Western' and not entirely suitable |
| position, but it has only been contested once since | | | | for Singapore. There are no jury trials. There is |
| Singapore became a nation. The Parliament is the | | | | restricted freedom of speech in this multicultural, |
| legislative branch of the government. | | | | multiracial society. In 2005, three bloggers were |
| The Members of Parliament are either elected, | | | | convicted of sedition for posting racist remarks |
| non-constituency or nominated to their posts. The | | | | on the internet. |
| majority are elected to five year terms in a | | | | Criminal punishment ranges from heavy fines, to |
| General Election. The MPs represent either Single | | | | caning, to capital punishment for first degree |
| Member Groups or Group Resentation | | | | murder and drug trafficking. Singapore has the |
| Constituencies. There are 94 MPs; 84 elected | | | | highest execution rate per capita in the world. |
| Members, one non-constituency MP and nine | | | | Despite the heavy-handedness, the system |
| Nominated MPs. | | | | seems to work for this city-state. Tourists report |
| The Nominated MPs, not representing any political | | | | that the city is clean, modern, cosmopolitan and |
| party, are appointed by the President for 2 1/2 | | | | relatively crime-free. There is good shopping, fine |
| year terms. The slate of appointees is drawn up | | | | restaurants, sights to see and a new casino to |
| by a Special Select Committee of Parliament | | | | draw even more money form the tourist trade. |
| headed by the Speaker. | | | | |