TEN Political movements as expression of public opinion for agenda setting in Thailand
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Watcharabon Buddharaksa
Abstract
This chapter examines political movements as a form of public opinion expression. It provides thick descriptions of five political movements that have pivoted the directions of policy analysis in Thailand. The main goal is to investigate how the agenda-setting process may be seen as a struggle to construct a new public discourse rather than be seen as merely a fight for sending messages to the government. The chapter employs Antonio Gramsci’s notion of ‘war of position’ – struggle in the terrain of ideas, thought and culture via mass media as a crucial tool – as a framework to explain the politics of agenda setting in Thailand. Since the 1997 political reformation, there were five distinct attempts to construct public discourse: demanding a strong state; rallying against Thaksin Shinawatra – the popular ex-prime minister; challenging the old regime with the domination of conservative elites; subverting the common sense; and, once again, for political reform.
Abstract
This chapter examines political movements as a form of public opinion expression. It provides thick descriptions of five political movements that have pivoted the directions of policy analysis in Thailand. The main goal is to investigate how the agenda-setting process may be seen as a struggle to construct a new public discourse rather than be seen as merely a fight for sending messages to the government. The chapter employs Antonio Gramsci’s notion of ‘war of position’ – struggle in the terrain of ideas, thought and culture via mass media as a crucial tool – as a framework to explain the politics of agenda setting in Thailand. Since the 1997 political reformation, there were five distinct attempts to construct public discourse: demanding a strong state; rallying against Thaksin Shinawatra – the popular ex-prime minister; challenging the old regime with the domination of conservative elites; subverting the common sense; and, once again, for political reform.
Chapters in this book
- 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Chapters in this book
- 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
