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Accountability and authoritarianism: Human rights in Malaysia and Singapore
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Accountability and authoritarianism: Human rights in Malaysia and Singapore

G. Rodan
Journal of Contemporary Asia, Vol.39(2), pp.180-203
2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00472330902723782
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Abstract

Accountability governance authoritarianism democratisation human rights political regimes
The concept of accountability enjoys wide and growing appeal, its advocates submitting both normative and functional arguments for institutions limiting discretionary powers of political and economic elites. This development is seen as facilitative of democratisation, especially in post-authoritarian societies. Yet it has gone almost unnoticed that not all authoritarian regimes have dismissed accountability reform and some are adopting reforms in its name. This article contrasts the patterns in Malaysia and Singapore on a specific accountability institution - human rights commissions - offering explanations for why the former has established one and the latter not. It is argued that intra-state conflicts associated with Malaysian capitalism have created pressures and opportunities for accountability reform not matched in Singapore where there is a more cohesive ruling elite. Moreover, the PAP's acute ideological emphasis on meritocracy concedes no space for horizontal political accountability.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Source: InCites

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22 Times Cited - Web of Science

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Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.27 Political Science
6.27.50 International Relations
Web Of Science research areas
Area Studies
ESI research areas
Social Sciences, general
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