 |
Where is the Opposition? Media coverage, political interest and voting behaviour in Singapore's 2001 election
| |
| | Unformatted Document Text:
2
ABSTRACT
In its 37-year post-independence history, the Republic of Singapore has progressively emerged as one of the most powerful economic tigers in the world. Trouncing its insignificant political opposition time and again in every general election since the first held in 1959, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has governed multi-racial Singapore uninterruptedly, firmly backed by the people’ mandate. In 2001 too, the PAP won with a huge margin of over seventy five percent, relegating the opposition to the background – a feat attained by no political party in any democratic country in the world so far.
This paper begins with an overview of the political system in the country and the factors sustaining the dominance of the PAP since the first general election. It then examines the issues and concerns that emerged in the political agenda in the 2001 General Election and the voter perception of these issues. It finally examines the role of the mass media in the electoral process and the extent to which the electorate used the mass media for election information even though electoral outcomes were predicted much before voters exercised their franchise.
The study was based on data from a larger study consisting of a content analysis of election coverage in the mass media, case studies of the election campaigns of political parties, and a post-election survey conducted on a cross-section of Singaporeans. The present paper essentially reports the findings from the survey done through computer-aided telephone interviews on a sample of 691 Singaporeans, a few days after the general elections. It evaluated the impact of election strategies and the extent of influence of mass and interpersonal strategies on voting behavior. The socio economic variables were measured with the exposure to mass media and election information, interest in the elections, issues of the country and those of the citizens and finally the voting behaviour.
It was found that Singaporeans show a high level of interest in the political process, follow political party campaigns in the mass media. However, relatively fewer read campaign literature. Awareness of issues was high. The state of the economy and unemployment turned out to be primary concerns. Newspapers and television were major sources of information and influence. The family also played a key role in influencing voting behavior. Even though results were a foregone conclusion, the PAP did not take support for granted and dominated electoral space with extensive campaigning and media coverage in the elections. The combined opposition of four major parties and independents were no match for the PAP.
|
| | Authors: Karan, Kavita., Kuo, Eddie. and Lee, Shu Hui. |
|
| |
|
|
2
ABSTRACT
In its 37-year post-independence history, the Republic of Singapore has progressively
emerged as one of the most powerful economic tigers in the world. Trouncing its
insignificant political opposition time and again in every general election since the
first held in 1959, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has governed multi-racial
Singapore uninterruptedly, firmly backed by the people’ mandate. In 2001 too, the
PAP won with a huge margin of over seventy five percent, relegating the opposition
to the background – a feat attained by no political party in any democratic country in
the world so far.
This paper begins with an overview of the political system in the country and the
factors sustaining the dominance of the PAP since the first general election. It then
examines the issues and concerns that emerged in the political agenda in the 2001
General Election and the voter perception of these issues. It finally examines the role
of the mass media in the electoral process and the extent to which the electorate used
the mass media for election information even though electoral outcomes were
predicted much before voters exercised their franchise.
The study was based on data from a larger study consisting of a content analysis of
election coverage in the mass media, case studies of the election campaigns of
political parties, and a post-election survey conducted on a cross-section of
Singaporeans. The present paper essentially reports the findings from the survey done
through computer-aided telephone interviews on a sample of 691 Singaporeans, a few
days after the general elections. It evaluated the impact of election strategies and the
extent of influence of mass and interpersonal strategies on voting behavior. The socio
economic variables were measured with the exposure to mass media and election
information, interest in the elections, issues of the country and those of the citizens
and finally the voting behaviour.
It was found that Singaporeans show a high level of interest in the political process,
follow political party campaigns in the mass media. However, relatively fewer read
campaign literature. Awareness of issues was high. The state of the economy and
unemployment turned out to be primary concerns. Newspapers and television were
major sources of information and influence. The family also played a key role in
influencing voting behavior. Even though results were a foregone conclusion, the
PAP did not take support for granted and dominated electoral space with extensive
campaigning and media coverage in the elections. The combined opposition of four
major parties and independents were no match for the PAP.
|
|
 Convention | | All Academic Convention makes running your annual conference simple and cost effective. It is your online solution for abstract management, peer review, and scheduling for your annual meeting or convention. | | Submission - Custom fields, multiple submission types, tracks, audio visual, multiple upload formats, automatic conversion to pdf. | | Review - Peer Review, Bulk reviewer assignment, bulk emails, ranking, z-score statistics, and multiple worksheets! | | Reports - Many standard and custom reports generated while you wait. Print programs with participant indexes, event grids, and more! | | Scheduling - Flexible and convenient grid scheduling within rooms and buildings. Conflict checking and advanced filtering. | | Communication - Bulk email tools to help your administrators send reminders and responses. Use form letters, a message center, and much more! | | Management - Search tools, duplicate people management, editing tools, submission transfers, many tools to manage a variety of conference management headaches! | | Click here for more information. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
