The ruling party has perfected the art of using legal and social pressures to fracture any competing parties if they get too big. They have a jealously guarded

The ruling party has perfected the art of using legal and social pressures to fracture any competing parties if they get too big. They have a jealously guarded media monopoly and viciously crack down on opposition bloggers by suing them into bankruptcy using absurdly strict libel laws. As a last resort they steal any policies which make the opposition popular. This is actually an underrated means by which Singaporeans exert democratic pressure on the government but it makes it pretty demoralizing to be in opposition. There is a national union but it is controlled by the government. Striking is illegal iirc, but membership will get you discounts on your shopping. Singaporeans are pretty apolitical on the whole, which is how the PAP seems to like it. Theyre not like Americans - not split into two herds who are trained to hate one another.