Examining the political outlooks of Taiwanese, Singaporean and Mainland Chinese students

Abstract

This paper used survey data of 1601 Taiwanese, Singaporean and mainland Chinese university students, who studied public administration, to examine future trends of public policy in their respective countries. The students’ email addresses were recorded but their names were not. It was found that the priorities and political outlooks of Taiwanese, Singaporean and mainland Chinese university students differed significantly. As these students would likely enter the civil service or be employed in occupations which have influence over public policy, their political outlook would considerably shape the policy trajectory of their respective countries. Furthermore, it is likely that this would be the final opportunity to survey and analyse their political attitudes, as civil servants grapple with obstacles which discourage them from voicing their true political opinions.