Singapore Chronicles: Pap

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s Independence, the Institute of Policy Studies and Straits Times Press are jointly launching the Singapore Chronicles series in 2015. This 50-volume series seeks to record, explain and offer insights into what makes Singapore, Singapore.

Covering a wide range of subjects, from the philosophical to the mundane, the fundamental to the practical, these Singapore Chronicles titles include Constitution, Presidency, Housing, Transport, Demography, CPF, Sports and Food. Each volume in this series will serve as a primer on the subject. Written by leading experts, they will focus on key aspects of the subject, providing analysis as well as an historical account. Readers will gain an insight into what makes Singapore tick and also why it has chosen certain “paths un-trodden”.

This book discusses the inception, evolution and longevity of the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has governed Singapore since 1959. It describes seminal events in the party’s history and its role in Singapore’s political life, including the split with the communists within the party and the struggle for Merger with Malaysia. The book analyses how the economics of Singapore’s survival as an independent nation helped create the politics of dominance associated with the PAP. The book pays close attention to the party’s efforts at renewal and reorganisation even as it was returned to power in general elections. It shows how the PAP seeks to legitimise its authority to govern by handling contentious issues such as ministerial pay and tackling the challenge from the opposition and critical voices in online media.