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0 pointsrayiner12y ago0 comments

> To call Singapore a "fascist dictatorship" is only true in the most literal senses of the words.

Not only the literal sense, but also in any dictionary sense of the words. What you perhaps meant to say is that it doesn't have some of the secondary characteristics (e.g. starving peasants) that are usually connoted when the phrase "fascist dictatorships" is used.

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mseebach12y ago

noun [mass noun] an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. (in general use) extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practices

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/fascism

Singapore is "partly free" (Freedom in the World) and has a "hybrid government" (meaning that it contains authoritarian and democratic elements, Democracy Index), so not flat-out authoritarian, and certainly not authoritarian in "social organisation". It is generally not considered "extreme right wing", and save for drugs and criticism of the government, isn't particularly intolerant - indeed, it goes to lengths to protect a multiracial, multi-religious society. Not a quality typically associated with dictionary-fascists. Caning is a cruel practise than can be said to be "intolerant", but it's a bit of a stretch.

noun [mass noun] government by a dictator: the effects of forty years of dictatorship [count noun] a country governed by a dictator. absolute authority in any sphere.

https://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/dictatorsh...

Absolute mean unhindered by constitution and the law. Both exists (as it does in most dictatorships) but Singapore generally enjoys the rule of law. So not, actually not a dictionary-dictatorship.

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