Review of History and Political Science

Politics, the Net and Gender in Singapore
Dr Christine Doran

Abstract
This article explores the connections between the internet, politics and gender in Singapore, a nation which has one of the highest rates of computer use and internet connectivity in the world. It examines the nature and effectiveness of government regulation of access to the web, and the effects of Singaporeans’ avid adoption of the internet on the conduct of politics in the island state. Despite the generally authoritarian approach of the government to the media and the imposition of some controls over the net, the internet has provided the means for the development of an alternative political discourse, challenging to both the one-party state and the patriarchal society. While acknowledging the problems of restrictive defamation laws and other official controls, as well as the issue of self-censorship by users, it is argued that the internet shows strong potential for contributing to the democratization of Singaporean politics and to raising the profile of issues of gender relations and gender equity.

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