Clitentelism and One-party Dominant Systems:A Comparative Analysis Based on the Experiences of Malaysia and Singapore
In developing countries,the relationship between a multi-party competitive political system and the stable order required for national development is a complex one.The patron-client culture inherited from traditional politics in Southeast Asian countries provides an analytical perspective for understanding the interplay between party systems and polit-ical stability.Malaysia and Singapore are both typical examples of one-party dominant systems.In Malaysia,the United Malays National Organization(UMNO)is an ethnic-based party that leads a coalition of parties centered around it.This coalition builds a complex pluralistic power structure based on a consensus among ethnic elites within the party and the coa-lition.In contrast,Singapore's People's Action Party(PAP)is a non-ethnic,nationwide party that forms a unitary power structure founded on meritocratic elite consensus.The power structures of both parties are rooted in elite patronage relation-ships.However,there are key differences between the one-party dominant system Malaysia and that of Singapore.In UM-NO,patronage relationships tied to economic interests often lead to antagonistic competition among party elites.This not on-ly weakens the cohesion of the party's power structure but also lowers the level of institutionalization in Malaysia's party poli-tics.On the other hand,the PAP,under the strong leadership of meritocratic authority,effectively maintains elite unity within the party.This results in a higher level of institutionalization in party politics and a relatively stable power structure.In recent years,UMNO has lost its long-held position of power,whereas the PAP continues to maintain its domi-nance.The nature of patron-client relationships and their impact on party power structures provide a compelling explanation for the divergent fates of the party systems in these two countries.
clitentelismpolitical systemone-party dominant systemspower structure of political parties
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