Why American Democrats in Singapore Favored Hillary Clinton Over Bernie Sanders

As of recent estimates, approximately 26,000 Americans live in Singapore, a bustling city-state known for its robust financial sector (Asia Matters for America, East-West Center). Among these Americans, the results of the Democratic Primary in 2016 were noteworthy. While Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton both had supporters, it is striking that in Singapore, a total of 149 out of 107 American Democrats chose to vote for Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. This raises questions about the motivations and factors influencing American Democrats living in a predominantly financial and corporate environment.

Anomalous Voting Patterns

When examining voting results from the Democratic primaries, it is observed that Clinton's victory in Singapore was one of only three such instances among all the countries where she won. However, with such a small number of total votes, it is reasonable to hypothesize that this could be a random occurrence rather than an indicator of a broader trend. The low number of votes suggests that this could simply be a statistical fluke.

Motivations and Hypotheses

Several hypotheses can be explored to understand why American Democrats in Singapore favored Clinton. One possible explanation is the skewed demographic of expatriates living there. Many expatriates in Singapore are affluent and work in the financial sector. Robust support from the corporate and financial world for Hillary Clinton is not surprising, considering her long-standing affiliation with the financial services industry (New York City's similar leanings).

Additionally, it is plausible that local organizers may have favored Clinton more, possibly reaching out to friends who align with her views. The Democratic Abroad Leaders for Singapore could provide more insights into how these voting preferences were influenced. Furthermore, understanding the political history of Singapore, where political stability and economic prosperity are highly valued, might also provide a clue to the voting behavior.

Challenge of Data Collection

While these hypotheses offer some potential explanations, gathering comprehensive data to validate them can be challenging. A comparative analysis with other expatriate voters who live abroad but still vote in the US by absentee ballot might yield interesting insights. Approximately 6-9 million US citizens live abroad, and there could be existing polling data regarding their preferences. However, direct polling or data collection from different sources is limited in scope and availability.

The low turnout of just 107 American Democrats in Singapore is also noteworthy. Out of the 107 who voted, only 149 chose Clinton. This makes the outcome even more intriguing and opens up avenues for further investigation. While it is tempting to draw broad conclusions, it is more prudent to regard this as a significant but perhaps isolated instance.

Complementary Perspectives

Looking at the results in other countries reveals a different pattern. In a comprehensive analysis, it was observed that all other countries except the Dominican Republic and Nigeria, with a mere 5 voters, overwhelmingly supported Bernie Sanders. This further emphasizes the unique characteristics of the American Democratic community in Singapore.

The economic and political environment in Singapore, with its reliance on the financial sector and corporate stability, provides a lens through which to view the voting behavior. Understanding the interplay between these factors and the personal and professional backgrounds of American Democrats living in Singapore can provide valuable insights into their political preferences.

Conclusion

The voting behavior of American Democrats in Singapore in the 2016 Democratic Primary reflects a unique set of circumstances. While the small sample size makes it challenging to draw broad conclusions, exploring the motivations and hypotheses behind their decision to vote for Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders can offer a deeper understanding of their political preferences.

Further research, including demographic data, political history, and additional polling data, can help validate these hypotheses and provide a more comprehensive picture. Understanding these nuances is crucial for policymakers, political analysts, and scholars studying the dynamics of expatriate voting in different political contexts.