Most Southeast Asian governments mixed democratic and authoritarian features. Judge each one by its elections, competition, freedoms, courts and control of the army.
A democratic government holds free and fair elections and allows rival parties to compete. It protects free speech and a free press, respects independent courts, and keeps the army under civilian control.
An authoritarian government concentrates power in one leader, one party or the military. It limits opposition and controls the press. It may detain critics without trial, and it may hold elections whose results are managed.
Many governments in the region were hybrids. Malaysia and Singapore held regular, competitive elections, but they used laws such as the Internal Security Act to detain opponents and they limited the press. Suharto's Indonesia held elections every five years, but the rules made sure his Golkar party won.
Forms of government changed over time. In the 1950s Indonesia, Burma and the Philippines were democracies. By the early 1970s all three were under authoritarian rule. The Philippines moved back towards democracy in 1986, Thailand in 1992 and Indonesia in 1998-1999.
Some states were openly authoritarian throughout. North Vietnam, and from 1976 a united Vietnam, was a one-party communist state. Burma under Ne Win became a one-party military state after 1962.
- Democratic tests
- Free elections, competition, freedoms, courts, civilian control.
- Hybrids
- Malaysia and Singapore: elections plus controls.
- Trend
- Democracy in the 1950s, authoritarian rule by the 1970s, democratisation from 1986.
Worked example: Placing a country on the spectrum
How democratic was Singapore after 1965?
- Democratic features: regular elections, a parliament, an independent civil service.
- Authoritarian features: detention without trial under the ISA; limits on the press and opposition.
- Outcome: the PAP won every seat from 1968 to 1980.
- Judgement: an electoral democracy with strong authoritarian features.
Watch out for this
A country that holds elections is a democracy.
Elections must be free and fair, with real competition and freedoms. Suharto held elections, but they were managed so that Golkar always won.
Check your understanding
Which is an authoritarian feature?
- Detaining critics without trial
- Competitive elections between parties
- Independent courts