The Constitution of Singapore: A Contextual Analysis (Constitutional Systems of the World) - Softcover

Tan, Kevin YL

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1849463964 ISBN 13: 9781849463966

Publisher: Hart Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

Singapore's Constitution was hastily cobbled together after her secession from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965. In the subsequent 50 years, the Constitution has been amended many times to evolve a Constitution like no other in the world. Outwardly, Singapore has a Westminster-type constitutional democracy, with an elected legislature, fundamental liberties and safeguards to ensure the independence of the judiciary. On closer inspection, the Constitution displays many innovative and unusual characteristics. Most notable among them are the various types of Members of Parliament that have been introduced since the mid-1980s, the office of the Elected President and the fact that there is no constitutional right to property. This volume seeks to explain the nature and context of these constitutional innovations in the context of a pluralistic, multi-ethnic state obsessed with public order and security. The volatile racial mix of Singapore, with its majority Chinese population nestled in a largely Malay/Islamic world, compels the state to search for ethnic management solutions through the Constitution to guarantee to the Malays and other ethnic minorities their status in the polity. In addition, it examines how the concept of the rule of law is perceived by the strong centrist state governed by a political party that has been in power since 1959 and continues to hold almost hegemonic power.

About this title

From the Author:

Kevin YL Tan is a leading scholar of Singapore's constitution and has written and edited over 30 books on the law, politics and history of Singapore. He is currently Adjunct Professor at both the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.

Review:

I thoroughly recommend this work to all those who would like to understand not only the Constitution itself, but the reasons behind its structure and the laws it supports. It is ideal for foreigner and local alike. (Cameron Ford Singapore Legal Gazette)

...the text gives the reader an excellent starting point to contextualize their understanding of constitutional law in Singapore. (Jaclyn L Neo ICONnect Blog)

Hence, amongst the wealth of literature that has already been written on the subject, Tan's The Constitution of Singapore manages to not only provide a novel introduction and a valuable overview but also point the way for readers - new and old - looking for ways to better understand the role of constitutionalism in the country. (Benjamin Lawrence Australian Journal of Asian Law)

About this edition

• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1849463964
• ISBN 13: 9781849463966
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 276