What is it with me and islands? Last December I managed to cheese off some folks in Iceland with comments I made after visiting the volcanic isle. Now I've raised hackles in Singapore with my opinion that the island nation is a not exactly a model of democracy. David e-mails to demand satisfaction:
As a permanent resident of Singapore, I must take you to task for your comparison between the PRC and the Republic of Singapore.
To be sure, Singapore has had only one political party in power since independence. But this is the choice of the electorate, who participate fully in a parlimentary democracy, and a testament to the leadership of Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Furthermore, Singapore has an independent, English-style judiciary, something the PRC clearly lacks.
I think you owe Singapore an apology.
Sorry David, but no apology will be forthcoming. At the risk of a severe caning, I must direct you to this speech on the reality of the state of democracy in Singapore. Holding elections and having a judiciary does not make a country democratic if the elections are not fair and free and if the judiciary is nothing but an instrument of power for the sitting government.
What are you looking at Trinidad and Tobago? You want some of this too?
No comments:
Post a Comment