ABSTRACT
Singapore is only one small island at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, but its strategic location guarding the southern end of the Malacca Strait guarantees the small country the world's close attention. The critical political issue for independent Singapore was whether to confederate with Malaya. The People's Action Party supported this unification because it seemed a good way to check potential threats from leftist politicians, pro-Chinese insurgents, or even from the People's Republic of China. Much of Singaporean citizen involvement is depoliticized as civil organizations have lost their clout and have been absorbed into government, much like in the corporatist state of fascist Italy. Technically, Singapore has a multiparty system. Eighteen parties registered in the most recent elections. Singapore's leaders call their political system a democracy. Brunei cannot be compared with its large, poor, and more socially diverse neighbors. Brunei, like Singapore, is an anomaly in Southeast Asia. There has been little agitation for democracy in Brunei.
