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Historical Legacies and Problems of Democratization in Thailand

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Historical Legacies and Problems of Democratization in Thailand Successful Transition, Failed Consolidation: Historical legacies and Problems of Democratization in Thailand Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde der Philosophischen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i. Br. vorgelegt von Chaiwatt Mansrisuk aus Bangkok, Thailand SS 2017 Erstgutachter: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rüland Zweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Andreas Mehler Vorsitzender des Promotionsausschusses Der Gemeinsamen Kommission der Philologischen, Philosophischen und Wirtschafts- und Verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Fakultät: Prof. Dr. Joachim Grage Datum der Fachprüfung im Promotionsfach: 11.07.2017 Acknowledgements This dissertation which was a product of my long and complicated journey would not be complete without the generosity of and support from numerous people and institutions. First and foremost, I am indebted to Thailand's Commission on Higher Education for granting me a scholarship to pursue my study in Germany between 2009 and 2013. I also would like to thank the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for financially supporting me to attend German language courses at Goethe Institutes in Bangkok and Mannheim before enrolling in a doctoral study at the University of Freiburg. At the University of Freiburg, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Dr. Jürgen Rüland. I am extremely grateful for the time and effort he has dedicated to inspiringly and patiently supervising my dissertation, and kindly providing me assistance whenever I needed it. I also wish to thank Paruedee Nguitragool for her kind assistance throughout the period of my stay in Freiburg. I am fortunate to pursue my doctoral study at the Political Science Department and the Southeast Asia Program where I was privileged from support, fascinating ideas and friendship. I wish to thank Panji Anugrah Permana, Zuliansyah P. Zulkarnain, Mikko Huotari, Bambang Sjahrir Putra, Antonio Farfán Vallespín, Agni Malagina, Vissia Ita Yulianto, Christian von Lübke, Emma Masterson, Stefan Rother, Yandry Kurniawan Kasim, York Wiese, Cathrin Arenz, Melanie V. Nertz, Mirjam Lücking, Evamaria Müller, Jarno S. Lang, and Anna F. Fünfgeld. I am also grateful to Maria- Gabriela Manea who, at the final stage, helped structure my fragmented ideas which I prepared for an oral examination. Gabriela also enthusiastically helped me contact the office of Gemeinsame Kommission der Philologischen und der Philosophischen Fakultät (GeKo) and the main library regarding the certificates and the submission of my dissertation. This dissertation grew out of my interests in Thai politics and problems of democratization. My interests in Thai politics was encouraged by Professor Eiji Murashima who served as my supervisor when I was a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University. I am grateful to his support, stimulating conversations, and kindness. I also wish to thank Professor Yoshifumi Tamada of Kyoto University for his thought-provoking questions during an interim exam in February 2006, particularly with the application of the concept of democratic transition. In Thailand, I was fortunate to receive support, advice, assistance, and friendship from numerous people. Ajarn Nakharin Mektrairat kindly accepted my request when being asked to be my mentor. Ajarn Chalidaporn Songsamphan was always generous to listen to my problems and complaints. Wararak Chalermpuntusak and Gullinee Mutakalin were always with me whenever I had problems and needed help. In addition, I wish to thank my friends and colleagues at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, my friends who have connected with me since my day at Thammasat University, and my friends who were recipients of the Strategic Frontier Research Scholarship (SFR5) for their moral support and friendship via social media network. Thanks also go to Thai students in Freiburg and Mannheim who helped entertain me and make my life colorful, and members of Erren family for their hospitality during my stay in Freiburg. I am also grateful to Nicholas Potts for brilliant proofreading. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Pisit and Rattana Mansrisuk who always supported my study both domestically and abroad. Yet, my opportunity to study abroad for ten years could never be realized without support from my sisters, Wandee and Knokvan Mansrisuk, who willingly took my responsibility regarding our parents and family on their shoulders. I really appreciated their support and understanding. Freiburg, 15 July 2017 (1) Table of Contents Acknowledgements …......................................................................................................................... (1) Table of Contents …............................................................................................................................ (2) List of Abbreviations …....................................................................................................................... (5) List of Tables, Diagrams and Photos ….............................................................................................. (7) Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Puzzles of Democratization and Middle Class in Thailand …........................................................... 2 Research Agenda ................................................................................................................................... 7 Organization of the Thesis …............................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework and Methodology ….............................................................. 12 DEFINITIONS AND THEORETICAL CONCEPTS Defining Democracy …....................................................................................................................... 12 Studying Democratization: Theoretical Literature Reviews …............................................................ 15 Structure-based Approaches …............................................................................................... 15 Modernization Theory …............................................................................................ 15 Historical Sociology …................................................................................................. 16 Cultural Approach …................................................................................................... 17 Agency-based Approaches ….................................................................................................. 18 Transitological Approaches ….................................................................................... 19 Shortcomings of the Approaches …............................................................................. 20 Understanding Democratic Transition and Consolidation ….............................................................. 22 Defining “Middle Class” ….................................................................................................................. 27 Theoretical Concepts …........................................................................................................................ 33 The Nature of Economic Development: State-led Development and Democratic Paradox …. 35 The Nature of Authoritarian Regime …..................................................................................... 37 Cultural Approach: Cultural and Ideational Elements ….......................................................... 39 The Application to the Thai Case …......................................................................................... 41 METHODOLOGY Causal Process Tracing: Analytical Method …................................................................................... 43 Data Collection …............................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 3 Historical Background: Thai Politics during 1932-1957 Thai Politics during 1932-1957 (I): Standard Explanation ….............................................................. 46 Thai Politics during 1932-1957 (II): The People's Party and the Conservative, Royalist Struggle ….. 48 Thai Politics during 1932-1957 (III): Civilian and Military Domination ….......................................... 53 Conclusions …........................................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 4 Economic Development, Authoritarian Breakdown and Authoritarian Regression I .... 60 The Dictatorial Regime under Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat …............................................................ 61 Before the Military Coup in 1958 …......................................................................................... 61 Absolutist Authoritarianism after the Military Coup in 1958 ................................................... 62 Economic Development and Developmentalism as a Source of Legitimacy …................................... 66 Conservative, Royalist Struggle for the Revival of the Monarchy …................................................... 74 Dictatorial Regime under Thanom-Praphat and the Collapse of Authoritarian Regime …................. 82 Challenge from Elected Political Institutions …...................................................................... 82 (2) Challenge from the Student
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