Nationalism, communism and the Malayan Chinese diaspora : conflict and cooperation between state and non-state actors in Peninsula Malaya and Singapore (1945-1955).

Abstract

This thesis will explore the relationships between state and non-state actors and organizations during this tumultuous era of decolonization, nationalism and political conflict in post-World War Two Malaya and Singapore from 1945-1955. Specifically, it seeks to provide some insight into questions such as, why did the illegal Chinese secret societies continue to be influential among the Chinese diaspora in Malaya even after half a century of persecution by the British colonial authorities? Why did the Communist Party of Malaya seek the support and cooperation of the Chinese secret societies? Why did some Chinese secret societies choose to cooperate with the Communists of Malaya while others where openly hostile towards communism? How did the struggle between ethnic nationalism and civic nationalism influence the Malayan Communist Party and Chinese secret societies? This thesis seeks to better understand the relationship between the state and non-state organizations by addressing these historical questions.