Elections in Singapore by Pugalenthi SR

Elections in Singapore is a narrative summary of all the elections in Singapore from the Legislative Council General Elections of 1948 right up to the Presidential Elections of 1993. It encompasses all the By-Elections as well.

The book is easy to read and filled with quotes from the various politicians standing for elections. The purpose of the respective elections, the number of seats contested, the duration of political campaigning and the parties contesting were recorded in each chapter. Pugalenthi SR also pointed out the main issues that were debated during the Elections. Of course, each chapter ended with the results of the Election.

This book is a good read for people who want to see the whole big picture of Singapore politics via elections. However, readers would need to be equipped with some knowledge of Singapore politics before they could fully appreciate the contents.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

The Dynamics of One Party Dominance: The PAP At The Grass-roots by Chan Heng Chee

At time of writing Prof Chan Heng Chee was a lecturer with the Department of Political Science, University of Singapore (now called National University of Singapore). She is currently the Singapore Ambassador at United States.

The Dynamics of One Party Dominance: The PAP At The Grass-roots is a micro-study of the politics in Singapore and focuses on 5 constituencies - Chua Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang, Telok Ayer, Kg Kembagan, Crawford. These 5 constituencies represent the rural and the urban settlements in Singapore and thus acted as good range of reference for the study.

In this book, Prof Chan first described Singapore as an "administrative state", which would be frequently used by other authors and academics when they refer to the Singapore state.

Other issues covered in the book also include an analysis of the Opposition, grassroots composition at the different constituencies, as well as the voters' concerns at the domestic level.

As The Dynamics of One Party Dominance: The PAP At The Grass-roots is authored at around 1976, many of the issues covered might not be relevant now. In general, however, there are good sources of reference if one were to research for the domestic issues affecting Singaporean voters at the period of time.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Thinking Allowed? Politics, Fear and Change in Singapore by Warren Fernandez

At time of writing the book, Warren Fernandez was the Foreign Editor of The Straits Times, Singapore's leading English-language daily. Currently, he is the Deputy Editor and Foreign Editor.

Thinking Allowed? is a compilation of Warren Fernandez's articles written for The Straits Times. He had written for the column "Thinking Aloud". Arguing that there is politics in Singapore, Warren Fernandez illustrated his point with his viewpoints in various current affairs events related to local politics.

The Author expressed his moderate views and opinions in regard to government actions.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Singapore Politics Under the People's Action Party by Diane K. Mauzy and R.S. Milne

This is a comprehensive overview of politics in Singapore since its independence in 1965 to the publication of the book in 2002.

The Authors present a moderate and balanced view in their depiction of the politics in Singapore under the PAP rule.

Singapore Politics Under the People's Action Party covers the following topics:

What is remarkable about Singapore?
How Singapore became independent: Lee Kuan Yew and the PAP
Locations of power: the state and the government
The PAP: the structure and operation of a dominant party
Ideology of the leaders and for the populace
Economic policy for an independent Singapore
Supplying social services to the people
The dictates of ethnicity: language policy, education, and self-help
The successors: leadership trends in the PAP -- the search for top talent
Authoritarian aspects of PAP rule
Elections, electoral innovations, and the Opposition
The growth of civil society
Deterrence and diplomacy
Singapore in the future

Overall Rating: 9/10

Publish and Perish - The Censorship of Opposition Party Publications in Singapore edited by James Gomez

Publish and Perish - The Censorship of Opposition Party Publications in Singapore is a compilation of the Party Newspapers (SOLIDARITY, and then later renamed to NSP News) of the National Solidarity Party.

The book is edited by James Gomez, Founder of Think Centre and a Workers' Party Candidate for Aljunied GRC at the 2006 General Elections.

NSP is a relatively young political party in Singapore. It came into the limelight when its then Secretary-General Steve Chia managed to attain an Non-Constituency MP position for his performance in the Bukit Gombak Constituency. Publish and Perish - The Censorship of Opposition Party Publications in Singapore allows an insight of readers into the political views of the NSP and dispels the myth that there is no qualified opposition in Singapore.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

The Secret by Rhonda Brynes

The Secret, according to the author Rhonda Brynes, lies in the Law of Attraction. Originally casted as a film in 2006, the Secret brought together various academics and motivational speakers to bring insights to the darkest Secret. Rhonda Brynes also supported the Law of Attraction with quotes from Great people from history.

According to the Law of Attraction, "People's feelings and thoughts attract real events in the world into their lives; from the workings of the cosmos to interactions among individuals in their physical, emotional, and professional affairs."

While there are many fans behind The Secret, it also attracted much controversies over the acclamations made. I, for one, felt that The Secret makes a good read for people facing adversities. It gives one a reason to think positive and stay optimistic. However, for the general reader, The Secret seems to be over-exaggerated and simplified reality. The Author attempts to draw on quotes to strategically add credence to the Law of Attraction.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Singapore My Home Too by Chee Soon Juan

Another book by Secretary General of Singapore Democratic Party, Dr. Chee Soon Juan. "Singapore My Home Too" was written right after his book "Dare to Change: An Alternative Vision for Singapore".

A short glance at the table of contents shed some light into his area of discussion:

The Terrible Curse of Fear
Keeping Stomachs Full and Heads Empty
Intellectually Speaking
No Democracy Please, We're Asians
Meritocratic Humbug
Robin Hood
Looking Ahead

I particularly like this book as Dr. Chee patiently dispels all the urban legend and myth that the ruling party had entrenched in Singapore society. As always, the book is easy to read and self-explanatory even if you are a newbie in Singapore politics. If you have read his previous book, you might find some similar arguments in "Singapore My Home Too".

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

For reference, you might want to visit http://www.yoursdp.org