THIRTEEN The role of the community sector and civil society in policy analysis
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Theerapat Ungsuchaval
Abstract
This chapter investigates the development and the role of civil society and the community sector in Thailand’s public policy ecosystem. They are operating across policy fields and taking up various roles in policy analysis, ranging from being a watchdog and a policy advocate of selected policy issues to a partner for public governance and policy execution. Since the 1960s, the sector has begun to be recognised by the Thai government and played a part in public policy processes of the country. The liberalisation of the government and the way it analyses policies during the late 1980s and 1990s has encouraged the involvement of civil society in institutional policy settings. This chapter also shows that the relationship with the state and public funding are key conditions for the sector to develop certain characteristics which favour the institutional mode of policy advocacy and has an ambivalent relationship with democracy.
Abstract
This chapter investigates the development and the role of civil society and the community sector in Thailand’s public policy ecosystem. They are operating across policy fields and taking up various roles in policy analysis, ranging from being a watchdog and a policy advocate of selected policy issues to a partner for public governance and policy execution. Since the 1960s, the sector has begun to be recognised by the Thai government and played a part in public policy processes of the country. The liberalisation of the government and the way it analyses policies during the late 1980s and 1990s has encouraged the involvement of civil society in institutional policy settings. This chapter also shows that the relationship with the state and public funding are key conditions for the sector to develop certain characteristics which favour the institutional mode of policy advocacy and has an ambivalent relationship with democracy.
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
