ARI Working Paper Series
WPS 48 Calibrated coercion and the maintenance of hegemony in Singapore
Author | : | Cherian GEORGE |
Publication Date | : | Sep / 2005 |
Publisher | : | Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore |
Keywords | : | Singapore, press controls, calibrated coercion, media, internet, People’s Action Party, Lee Kuan Yew |
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Studies of hegemonic domination, even in authoritarian states, have tended to focus on ideology and consensus, treating coercion as a straightforward matter that does not need to be problematised. This essay attempts to redress the balance, arguing that states have a range of repressive tools at their disposal, which they need to use intelligently if they are to maintain their hegemony. Self-restrained, calibrated coercion is that which represses challengers with minimum political cost. Calibrated coercion is illustrated through an in-depth case study of press controls in Singapore, where one of the world’s most successful hegemonic parties has governed continuously for four decades.