Thais Still Looking For Quick Political Fixes

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Still looking for quick political fixes

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

With rumours swirling of yet another military coup in the pipeline, along with calls from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for a government that is selected by the palace, one can't help but wonder why so many Thais continue to be so fond of instant political gratification.

Is it just another aspect of modern society where everything has to happen right away - be it fast food or a quick tweet? Or is it because some people, especially the elite and the upper-middle class, are so used to being impatient and getting what they want right away?

Or are they simplistic enough to think that a quick change in regime, where "good and morally upright" people are installed to govern without having to make compromises with "dirty" politicians or listening to and being accountable to Thai people who are poor, naive, uneducated and "selfish", is the answer?

Is this the reason why PAD leaders are calling for a government that is selected by the palace to run the country for four years without an election?

Or is this the reason why so many people still see military coups as an antidote to Thailand's political ills?

These people, who still harbour the idea of a quick fix, would do well to look at other nations and try to learn a thing or two about how long it takes for society to democratise. In the United States, when the lofty Declaration of Independence was made two centuries ago, only "white males" could enjoy the rights to "life, liberty, and happiness", late American historian Howard Zinn noted in his seminal book "A People's History of the United States".

Blacks, native-Americans, white women were excluded. In fact, black people had to fight against racial segregation well into the 1960s, and even now, nobody can honestly say that racism is dead in America. Barack Obama may be the first African-American president in the United States, and yet he is referred to as "black" even though he's as white as he is black. This says something about the subtle cultural remnants of the notion of the purity of the white race. Equality in America is obviously still a work in progress.

In his book, Zinn portrayed America in the 1960s and the black people's struggle against segregation, lynching and humiliation by noting that: "In a society of complex controls, both crude and refined, secret thoughts can often be found in the arts, and so it was in black society. Perhaps the blues, however pathetic, concealed anger; and the jazz, however joyful, portended rebellion."

It can be argued that the mechanism for political and ideological controls in Thai society is just as complex, with both crude and refined aspects. The elite and the state are trying hard to put a lid on anti-monarchist graffiti by red shirts, "subversive" websites and perhaps even certain rumours.

Maybe the elite and the upper-middle class are not that impatient, and maybe they don't really want quick democratisation. Maybe their wish to democratise Thailand isn't that sincere. Perhaps they want to preserve the status quo, political system, as well as the backward and repressive political ideology at all costs. Perhaps the D-word is needed to justify everything, which is why they keep saying they're all for democracy.

In this vision of a "moral and democratic" society, those with proper education, connections, upbringing and "moral virtue" will rule, with or without election, and there shall be little or no place for freedom of expression, accountability and transparency. The masses have to be ruled over by "benign leaders" as well as subjugated and brainwashed through relentless propaganda into feeling grateful for everything that they don't have.

-- The Nation 2011-04-06

[givenall]

Because not much time is left 2012 iscoming fast

[zydeco]

Since Howard Zinn suddenly is the font of wisdom for contributors to and writers for The Nation, here's another one of his quotes, just in time to think about as the French and British, with their American poodle, seek to recolonize Africa: "Most wars, after all, present themselves as humanitarian endeavors to help people."

[Paul123456]

Why do Thais continue to believe that rich Western countries are democratic???? WAKE UP. The USA is controlled by corporations, money and the military. If you want Thailand to be a decent country, please find your own path and stop trying to copy the West.

[djlest]

Another another us and them and why...

I found the ' Blues is pathetic' comment more pertinent... and who says jazz is joyful?

[phiphidon]

In this vision of a "moral and democratic" society, those with proper education, connections, upbringing and "moral virtue" will rule, with or without election, and there shall be little or no place for freedom of expression, accountability and transparency. The masses have to be ruled over by "benign leaders" as well as subjugated and brainwashed through relentless propaganda into feeling grateful for everything that they don't have.

Discuss

[vinceentz]

In this vision of a "moral and democratic" society, those with proper education, connections, upbringing and "moral virtue" will rule, with or without election, and there shall be little or no place for freedom of expression, accountability and transparency. The masses have to be ruled over by "benign leaders" as well as subjugated and brainwashed through relentless propaganda into feeling grateful for everything that they don't have.

Discuss

Thailand has shown again and again (and again and again (and again and again))) that it is not ready for democracy. Sorry to say that. However monarchy rule seems not to be a solution anymore, nor does a junta.

Despotism could be the answer. Not forever. Hopefully not for too long. It smells too much of Hitler and the like, but the outcome could be that after a while the thais would stand together and fight FOR democracy, instead of fighting EACH OTHERS democracy.