Bowling Online, Not Alone: Online Social Capital and Political Participation in Singapore

摘要

Since gaining independence in 1965, the Singapore government has relentlesslynpursued economic growth and prosperity, while at the same time exercising tightnpolitical controls, which has largely eroded traditional political participation amongnthe citizens (George, 2003; Rodan, 1998). In the economic domain, Singapore’snperformance has indeed been very impressive; the country was recently ranked asnthe second in the world regarding the Global Potential Competitiveness and rated asntheMost Competitive Asian Economy, among numerous other accolades (EconomicnDevelopment Board, 2007). At the same time, its democratic record has been lessnthan stellar, earning Singapore a ‘‘partly free’’ rating in the Freedom in the Worldnreport (Freedom House, 2007) and a ‘‘noticeable problems’’ label regarding the statenof media freedoms (Reporters Without Borders, 2007). Not surprisingly, severalnstudies and reports have indicated high levels of political apathy in Singaporeansn(e.g. Chan & Wong, 2001; Veloo, 2002; Yap, 2000). However, since Singapore hasnuniversal suffrage and all citizens over 21 are required to vote by law, this apathynhas not been reflected in the election turnout rates. In recent years, researchers havensuggested that the Internet may play an important role in reviving and rejuvenatingncivic and political participation in Singapore (George & Yee, 2007; Kluver & Soon,n2004; Tan, 2003; Yeo, 2003).