Weak labor movements and opposition parties: Hong Kong and Singapore

Abstract

This research aims to unravel the causes of why Hong Kong and Singapore have failed to achieve high degrees of democracy amid recession. It focuses on how their labor movements and opposition parties have failed to capitalize on the current economic crises to act as key mobilizing agents to mobilize the public support for democratic breakthroughs. The weaknesses in labor unions and fragility of opposition parties account, in part, for their failure to key as major mobilizing agent. In Singapore the internal division among opposition parties, and lack of resources among them, have blocked them from becoming credible political alternatives to the ruling party. In Hong Kong, the tension between pro-democratic parties and labor federations has further curtailed their leadership in pro-democratic mobilisation. Finally, the short durations of their economic crises have also left the two authoritarian states still resourceful enough to implement policies that have wooed public support.