FOUR Policy analysis in Thai local governments
-
Pobsook Chamchong
Abstract
This chapter provides an insight into policy analysis revealed through the investigation of the autonomy of Thai local governments. Although the central government uses regional governmental bodies as its limbs and intervenes in local government with rigid regulations and guidelines, the local government has some policy roles to play within its authority. The chapter analyses that, with the top-down centrally driven system, local policy analysis is based mainly on legal framework and resources dependency. It argues that the area-based development discourse initiated by the central government restored the hidden bureaucratic dominance in local government system. Such discourse overshadows the decentralisation and weakens the representative status of local governments in local policy analysis and development. The chapter also emphasises that Thai local governments appear to be regarded as semi-autonomous units who merely implement the centralised policy decisions even though their autonomous status is constitutionally enshrined.
Abstract
This chapter provides an insight into policy analysis revealed through the investigation of the autonomy of Thai local governments. Although the central government uses regional governmental bodies as its limbs and intervenes in local government with rigid regulations and guidelines, the local government has some policy roles to play within its authority. The chapter analyses that, with the top-down centrally driven system, local policy analysis is based mainly on legal framework and resources dependency. It argues that the area-based development discourse initiated by the central government restored the hidden bureaucratic dominance in local government system. Such discourse overshadows the decentralisation and weakens the representative status of local governments in local policy analysis and development. The chapter also emphasises that Thai local governments appear to be regarded as semi-autonomous units who merely implement the centralised policy decisions even though their autonomous status is constitutionally enshrined.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
-
Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
-
Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Notes on contributors xii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles and methods of policy analysis in Thailand
- History and styles of policy analysis in Thailand 11
- Methods of policy analysis in Thailand: bureaucratic, managerial, academic and participatory orientations 28
-
Policy analysis within executive government
- Policy analysis in central government 49
- Policy analysis in Thai local governments 67
- Collaboration, networks and policy analysis in Thailand 88
-
Policy analysis beyond executive government
- Monarchy and Thai meta-policy: the early years of Rama X’s reign 107
- The role of the Thai military in policy analysis: unpacking three faces of the military in the non-military policy domain 137
- Parliamentary committees, legislative supporting agencies and policy advice 155
- The role of expert policy advisory boards, consultants and think tanks in policy analysis 170
- Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand 186
-
Political parties and interest groups in policy analysis
- Political parties and policy analysis 203
- Business associations and policy analysis 219
- The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis 230
- The influence of Thailand’s social movements on policy analysis 248
-
Policy analysis education and research
- Policy analysis instruction in Thailand 273
- Non-traditional policy studies in Thailand 286
- Policy research in academic institutions 303
- Transition and prospects of Thai policy analysis 320
- Index 337
