This book documents the development of civil society in Singapore from the colonial era to the present day. It examines the relevance of the concept to Singapore and examines the working arrangement that state and civil society have arrived at. It discusses the legal and other mechanisms that shape the functioning of civil society, and explores key trends that will influence governability and the tenor of democracy in Singapore.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s Independence, the Institute of Policy Studies and Straits Times Press jointly launched the Singapore Chronicles series in 2015.

This 50-volume series seeks to record, explain and offer insights into what makes Singapore, Singapore. Covering a wide range of subjects, from the philosophical to the mundane, the fundamental to the practical, these Singapore Chronicles titles include Constitution, Presidency, Housing, Transport, Demography, CPF, Sports and Food. Each volume in this series will serve as a primer on the subject.

Written by leading experts, they will focus on key aspects of the subject, providing analysis as well as a historical account. Readers will gain an insight into what makes Singapore tick and also why it has chosen certain “paths un-trodden”.

Authors

Singapore Chronicles: Civil Society