Review - Larry Diamond / democracy

Diamond initiates this chapter using Singapore as a model state for ‘Asian Exceptionalism’ as it appears to be the best example of a successful non-democracy. Singapore has little corruption, is efficiently run, caters to the welfare of its citizens and has a highly educated population. Under this ‘façade’ is a pseudodemocracy, with Lee Kuan Yew running the state autocratically, portraying Singapore with prized image the government attempts to maintains on an international level. However, the Singaporean population is growing in education and income, causing an increase in demand for plurality and accountability, and the decrease of it being the ‘Asian Model’ it once was portrayed to be. Singapore’s authoritarianism is appealing because of the results it has brought onto the state such as political stability and affordable housing.
The mass Asian public believes democracy is the best form of government, and distinct “Asian values” are increasingly rejected as countries develop further. At one point, democracy was viewed as receding in the liberal democracies of Taiwan and South Korea, both economically developed and ‘Western Oriented’ Asian states. After gaining the Taiwanese presidency, Chen did everything in his power in order for his party to be the only governing one and occupy most seats in parliament. The president however ended up down Taiwan’s economy, integrity and political accountability to hold on to his power. The democracy in South Korea after Roh Moo Hyun took power altered greatly, as he attempted to challenge the entire prospect of a liberal democracy and change laws to work in his own favor. Roh’s actions however resulted in his losing his government’s public approval. These are examples Diamond presents to show that although these countries will never go back to being non-democracies, their