Thai politics: Excessive focus on structure won't bring us true democracy

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Excessive focus on structure won't bring us true democracy
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

BANGKOK: -- It has been over a month now since work on the new charter began. Considering the timeframe for its completion, it could be said that the new round of charter writing has completed one-fourths of the journey.

For more than a month, the public has been inundated with new and unprecedented ideas about political structure by the new Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

Starting from an electoral system it called Mixed Member Apportionment system, which was seen by several political observers as a hybrid version of a Mixed Member Proportional system, the CDC a few days ago left the door open for a non-elected prime minister. What's special about this proposal is that it can be introduced to voters in the five-name list during an election campaign so that they can see and consider first who would likely be their prime minister.

The CDC has come out strongly to defend its proposals, saying it wishes to see every vote being meaningful. Hence, complicated calculations to find the right formula should not be a big deal. CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan even summed it up as a Thai-style democracy.

"We [the CDC] agreed that it wasn't possible to just follow or copy from Western constitutions. Thai society differs from other countries and we need to deliberate on how to make it work with Thai ways too," Meechai said in the initial days after his appointment as CDC chief.

"We [the CDC] agreed that it wasn't possible to just follow or copy from Western constitutions. Thai society differs from other countries and we need to deliberate on how to make it work with Thai ways too," Meechai said in the initial days after his appointment as CDC chief.

For over a month, we have been obsessed with the new electoral formula and political structure. No doubt, the reasons given by the CDC - of making every vote count, and doing what would be best for us - does make much sense. But I am sceptical about whether this focus on finding the most suitable political structure or system alone can make us a strong democracy.

Banjerd Sinkaneti, member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, which drafted the now-aborted first charter version, once shared with me the universal charter drafting principles. He said charters are generally written based on two key elements: the rights and freedom of people, and the political structure - which includes executive, legislative, and judicial branches. But that is generally for normal circumstances.

For countries faced with unusual circumstances, like Thailand, what was probably needed was people empowerment, or what he called, active citizenship, and the part to help guide major reforms and reconciliation, so that the country could have a chance to get away from the brink of a collapse.

His committee had specifically addressed the part concerning people's empowerment with various mechanisms introduced to help accomplish the goal, including a citizen assembly in every province, a mechanism that was expected to act as a discussion platform where people could come and practice democracy in their everyday lives.

Unfortunately, his draft charter was shot down following some controversial elements, including the national strategic reform and reconciliation provision seen as overruling a government in times of crisis.

Since then, the active citizenship element has apparently been toned down in the new round of the charter. The CDC so far has not touched upon this part, but has been busy debating what would be best electoral formula and best political system.

The CDC may be judicious in following the universal principles of charter writing, but without people's strength in "democracy literacy" to back them up, none of the most suitable electoral formulas or political systems are likely to be continued and sustained in the long run, not to mention whether they can help answer our call for true democracy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Excessive-focus-on-structure-wont-bring-us-true-de-30272831.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-13

[chainarong]

As an exercise there should be a debate on the famous " Bringing Harmony back to Thailand " TV show between a few world authorities (various democratic countries) on Democracy and the CDC panel and lets just see how much the panel do know about democracy , democracy isn't just a give me , it takes hundreds of years to become a democracy, even in Democratic countries democracy is always evolving, generally now days it is being eroded, however the last thing you want is an unelected leader of a nation, the people are alienated without a choice ,people don't care about their local candidate , it is the leader that matters, if you want discontent follow this path...............................

[maewang99]

Everything is about people. Thai elites are western exposed, but only to a very limited degree, and when they get back to Thailand, it's lost.

Edited November 13, 2015 by maewang99

[iBike]

Thai Democracy

[WhizBang]

And there we go again... Thai different, farang not understand. Total BS.

[Joe Reality]

Why should they want democracy?

It will only lead to having corrupt Thai politicians being bribed by foreigners to let those foreigners by up Thai assets on the cheap, in the long run. It's better to have corrupt local ownership... because at least it keeps the wealth in the country.

Eventually they may be able to lower the level of corruption here. But if they lose their national assets they will be gone forever, barring WWIII or a similar global crisis.

[Strangebrew]

Yes I know this is Thailand but you do have computers and the internet right? why not go online look how the US government is setup Yes it isn't perfect but it does work 98% of the time. We don't have the military taking over the country every couple years. Yes we have corrupt officials but we jail there butts. We don't let them run around messing in the affairs of state Like a certain 'TS" who's name I shall not mention does. We elect our people to run things if they fail to do the job they get the boot. But we understand our government is still a work in progress so we allow for change, we also understand that freedom is above all and basic human right's even if your not an American you have the same right's as an American when in the US. But like I said it isn't perfect and we make mistakes after all we are human but it work's. So now I will wait for all the bashers to crawl out from under there rocks.

Edited November 13, 2015 by Strangebrew

[Thai at Heart]

Make it work with Thai ways too.... A sure way to make it sputter and fail I am afraid.

[phycokiller]

its a side show. there wont be new election for some time yet and the chances are that even if they do get a new constitution before then its not going to be rewritten again before the next elections. Thailand is on hold until certain events happen and there no point even thinking about constitutions and elections before then

[Srikcir]

"We [the CDC] agreed that it wasn't possible to just follow or copy from Western constitutions."

TRANSLATION:

"We the unelected elite reject people's self-determination and hold that only we alone must decide their future."

"Thai society differs from other countries"

TRANSLATION:

"Thai society cannot be trusted to rule themselves."