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Thailand is a democratizing country

Thai Parliamentary Politics Today Dr. Paul Chambers Senior Research Fellow, Political Science Heidelberg University, Germany/ Payap University, Thailand. Thailand is a democratizing country. Dahl (1989) No country meets the ideal of a perfect democracy. Ideal democracy: Effective participation

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Thailand is a democratizing country

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  1. Thai Parliamentary Politics TodayDr.Paul ChambersSenior Research Fellow, Political ScienceHeidelberg University, Germany/Payap University, Thailand Thailand is a democratizing country

  2. Dahl (1989)No country meets the ideal of a perfect democracy • Ideal democracy: • Effective participation • Voting Equality • Enlightened understanding by the “PEOPLE” • “PEOPLE” control the political agenda • Inclusiveness: Equality extends to all citizens within the state

  3. Almost all countries are a variant of polyarchy or “near democracy” • Sustaining democracy is not easy. According to Lipset (1961), the more well-to-do a country, the greater its chances for sustaining democracy. • Now—GLOBAL DEMOCRATIC RECESSION: • Polyarchy is close to ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY • LIBERAL DEMOCRACY is fuller!

  4. Diamond (2008) 10 conditions of liberal democracy: • 1. Substantial freedom of speech • 2. Freedom of religion with ethnic and cultural participation • 3. Universal suffrage for adults • 4. Free, fair, and generally competitive elections • 5. Legal equality under transparent rule of law • 6.An independent and neutral judiciary • 7. Due process of law for all individuals • 8. Institutional checks and balances • 9. State acquiescence in vibrant civil society • 10. Civilian control over military and other state entities

  5. To what extent is Thailand a liberal democracy? • 1. Substantial freedom of speech No • 2. Freedom of religion with ethnic and cultural participation Yes • 3. Universal suffrage for adults Yes • 4. Free, fair, and generally competitive elections Yes • 5. Legal equality under transparent rule of law No • 6.An independent and neutral judiciary No • 7. Due process of law for all individuals No • 8. Institutional checks and balances Yes • 9. State acquiescence in vibrant civil society OK • 10. Civilian control over military and other state insts No

  6. Thailand Today:TUTELARY DEMOCRACY

  7. In a Westminster parliamentary system, the nexus of political power derives from parliament • Thailand’s system is based on such a model • But traditions of kingship and bureaucracy • Along comes Thaksin Shinawatra to challenge this model. Even skirts rule of law. • Balance of power shifts from Privy Council to Prime Minister

  8. COUP—Sept 19, 2006 • Constitution of 2007 • Growth in military power • Judicialization of politics • Weakened parliamentary system

  9. 2006-2009: 5 Prime Ministers • Military autonomous of PM and parliament • Police take to the sidelines • YELLOW SHIRTS vs. RED SHIRTS • PANDEMONIUM

  10. 2008-9—height of anarchy • 1) Pro-Thaksin parliamentary forces try to change constitution • Crowds prevent this by attempting to block the parliament building • Judiciary fells 2 PMs and 5 parties • Silent coup of December 2009?

  11. Parliamentary Politics in 2010 represents struggle between pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin forces. • Democrats under PM Abhisit Vechachiwa use Bhumjai Thai Party (under Newin Chidchob) to divide and conquer pro-Thaksin parties. • In conclusion, • Thailand is a tutelary democracy • Judicialization of Thai politics • Parliament is an arena of proxy politics • Parliamentary politics represents the erosion of democracy

  12. Thailand’s future: • Economy is down • Democracy in recession • Growing political rifts • Eventually, potential civil war • A mending of fences can prevent such a sad forecast.

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