For a country that is economically advanced, modern and positioned as a global city, Singapore resonates with a climate of fear. Democracy is often misrepresented, misunderstood or treated as a dirty word. When it comes to politics, it is pure paranoia. Few question why by-elections are not called or why the presidential process ends in no contest. Instead, what is common is the practice of self-censorship. Frequently, it ends in the censorship of others.

It is interesting to see that self-censorship operates without direct intervention of the ruling party. What makes most citizens, residents and foreigners living and working in Singapore behave in this way? Why does the majority avoid alternative political expression? How do they censor themselves and others? In such an environment, what are the chances of legitimising alternative political expression and action? Finally, what repercussions do this uniquely Singaporean self-censorship hold for the Republic's future? This book addresses these questions and evaluates its implications.