Democracy in Singapore - Essay Example

Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. The Singapore government is led by a Prime Minister and a President. The latter plays largely a ceremonial role, although the position does contain some veto powers. The Members of Parliament are voted into parliament by the first-past-the-post system. The PAP has controlled Parliament ever since the first election in 1959, although the opposition Workers’ Party was able to make significant inroads into Parliament in the 2011 elections.

If Singapore’s citizens are able to demand more freedom, it is possible that the country will be able to become a more democratic society. The one thing in Singapore’s favor is that it is relatively corrupt-free and is one of the better-educated nations in Southeast Asia. If the government realizes that greater freedom will lead to a more productive economy then political change is possible in the not too distant future.