Is Singapore Truly a Police State?

I keep hearing various comments from media outlets, blogs, etc. proclaiming Singapore to be a police state. Just this morning Thom Hartmann sated that as the reason for it's low crime rate. It's system of "fines" for such things as gum chewing, jaywalking, etc. is supposedly keeping its population in line. Having spent several months in Singapore, I've never felt restrained by its alleged police control. Nor do I think its legal system keeps Singaporeans in check. I have a much different theory about Singapore's low crime rate.



In the first place, police sightings in Singapore are rare, though I've heard there are plain clothes officers about. Cameras are heavily used, but most Singaporeans know where they are. Many have commented to me that they can get away with breaking traffic laws at certain intersections, where the cameras do not see. I have always avoided jaywalking, except in cases of low traffic with no crosswalk nearby. However, I've seen scores of natives cross very busy roads to avoid climbing the stairs to cross the road. Cameras have little benefit here, since people don't wear license plates.

There are many laws which are routinely violated in Singapore without consequence. Everything from landlords illegally renting HDBs and fake designer labels being sold in Chinatown to illegally touting tissues at the hawker centers is routinely tolerated. The latter offense is a matter of survival for the very poor. Littering is also heavily fined, but--although generally cleaner than any other city in the world--Singapore is definitely not litter free. I passed quite a bit of it every day en route to the and from the MRT station. And although it is illegal to drink on the train, I've often sipped water without apparent notice. The prospect of a fine deters little in the face of extreme thirst. But, to be honest, I think that law is intended to keep the trains clean and a few sips of water is harmless. I think if Singapore were a true police state, such a minor offense wouldn't be overlooked.

The crimes you don't see much of in Singapore are violent crime and theft. Such crimes are most likely to happen at night, yet no police are out roaming the streets. It's a good bet a camera is of little use after darkness falls. Walking through and underpass alone can be done safely, even in the wee hours. There are never even security guards in these tunnels. So, why don't would-be felons take advantage of this opportunity to lure an innocent victim?

Based on my observation, it seems Singaporeans aren't governed by law enforcement so much as they are by self-discipline. They appreciate structure and order. Unlike in the US, Singaporeans are very collectivist in their thinking. They understand that the good of the many works in favor of the individual. I believe they take pride in their great city and want to maintain the status quo. I've heard it said they've been indoctrinated against committing crime, but that makes little sense. Such heavy-handed brainwashing would more likely lead to dissidence.

Singaporeans love to shop, but loathe credit. They generally don't buy what they can't pay for. People are contented with much less. Most Singaporeans have basic necessities of life and very few are homeless. Even the homeless manage to eat without stealing. This is significant, because the major driver of violent crime in any society is poverty. Poverty (often indirectly), with its threat of starvation, sickness & homelessness, is at the heart of most crime. The greater the competition for essential goods, the higher will be the crime rate. The environment of  intense competition found in US creates a lower class who often lack self-esteem. They feel shunted by society and lose pride in themselves, not because they are poor, but because they are unable to fairly compete. For such individuals, the mythical American Dream may seem a hopeless prospect.

If you can't compete and you feel worthless, stealing ones food may seem justified and drugs may serve as escape. Drug-addiction is followed by violent crime to sustain the habit. Women may seek a way out through prostitution. These "criminals", even after being reformed, are branded permanently by society. To make matters worse, these individuals also have children who are raised to think nothing of illegal behavior. They are taught to think that society is against them. It is therefore no surprise that the cycle is repeated another generation.

Because Singaporeans are less consumed by excess consumption, the sting of being a "have not" is far less intense. They have no "American Dream" to live up to. Certainly there is a great deal of social competition, but it doesn't come even close to that of US. There is no crime, because the financial and psychological drivers which lead to it are virtually absent by comparison.