ABSTRACT
At first glance, the island State of Singapore, with its ethnic diversity, economic, social and political stability, may seem to be the poster-child for Amy Chua’s model of authoritarianism as ethnic stabiliser.1 Singapore has an enviable economic record, achieved not by free market democracy, but via authoritarian rule and a capitalist economy delicately managed by the state. Racial harmony, a social landscape free of any ethnic tensions or potential ethnic tensions, has been central to the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) construction of Singapore’s national future. Largely, the PAP has been successful in this goal – ethnic violence is minimal and most Singaporeans are highly conscious of the sensitivity of racial issues.
