Singapore People's Action Party, The Party Long-term Governance And Singapore-style Democracy "

Democratization seems to be an irresistible trend in the transition of today'sworld political system. Singapore, as a small country lying in Southeastern Asia,attracts world's attention because of its unique strategy of governance and its specialtrend of democratization. The first generation of People's Action Party's leaders inSingapore, including Lee Kuan Yew and his successors, implemented Confucianistthought in governing Singapore and successfully established a democratic form whichhad been proved suitable to eastern Asian countries. This kind of "Singaporeandemocracy" is renowned of its strict management of the society, which combines thedemocratic elements in Western countries such as a competitive political system,direct referendums with traditional values in eastern countries which advocate thatpersonal requests should comply with social orders. This kind of "society first"principle emphasizes the importance of social stability and plays an essential role inpromoting economic development. Besides, the concept of "ignoring ideology" makesSingapore easy to get along well with for both eastern and western countries. AndSingapore enjoys an important status in world political arena which seems unequal toits territorial areas. The core of "Singaporean democracy" is to promote the economyby maintaining the stability of the society. It is a way that suits eastern Asian countriesbecause in these countries people think it is very important that everybody abides bysocial orders. And only in this way can people see a sustained progress in a country'seconomic construction.