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rab777hp t1_ixxl7xb wrote

Reply to comment by Pay08 in TIL Singapore’s constitution requires the President to have experience as a minister - or as CEO of a large, profitable company. by ltdanhasnolegs

that's not a democracy

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SG_wormsblink t1_ixy2d5d wrote

Since the majority of people voted freely for the ruling party to continue its rule, that’s a democracy.

Giving the position to the opposition party because they haven’t had their turn would go against the will of the people, that’s not democracy.

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SuicidalGuidedog t1_ixxtr3m wrote

A democracy isn't defined by changing government. It's defined by a system of government by the will of the people. Generally most people agree that 'democracy' is shorthand for 'representative democracy' whereby most people can vote freely and fairly (I say mostly because even the most democratic country doesn't let children vote). There are opposition parties and regular elections in Singapore so by that standard it's a democracy.

That being said, I don't think it counts as a logical democracy. Just not for the same reason you quoted above. A single party being repeatedly elected doesn't, on its own, prove a place to be undemocratic.

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