The celebrated rapid economic development in Singapore has been accompanied by growing authoritarianism under the leadership of the People's Action Party. This paper suggests that authoritarian rule in Singapore is not of the bureaucratic-authoritarian kind identified with Latin American countries. Singapore's history, integration into the world economy, and the development of its polity have made its form of control unique. Its recent attempt at democratic transition is state-led, although this hegemony is increasingly under challenge. As the state responds to these challenges, new sites of contestation are opened up, which will either continue authoritarian rule or increase opportunities for further democratization.
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