Showing 211 - 220 of 233
The roots of global democratic malaise
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/01/2014
» The early 21st century is harbouring an alarming trend in emerging democracies. As political liberalisation and democratisation make headway, they have ended up polarising and splitting societies undergoing democratic transitions. This trend is likely to dominate the developing world for the next two decades and beyond.
Social media has polarising effect on political debate
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/01/2014
» From Thailand to Ukraine to Turkey and other places beset with contentious politics between electoral majorities and minorities, the sources of prolonged and visceral polarisation appear to stem increasingly from social media.
Time for new political social contract
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/12/2013
» From Thailand to Turkey to the Ukraine, the relationship between ruling majorities and electoral minorities has become combustible _ and is threatening to erode the legitimacy of democracy itself.
Charter ruling shows political progress
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 22/11/2013
» The Constitution Court's ruling this week to reject parliament's draft charter amendment to change the Senate from a roughly half-appointed to a fully elected chamber marks another crucial juncture in Thailand's grinding political transformation.
Policy momentum flounders after amnesty debacle
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/11/2013
» Even before its peddlers in parliament made a panicky retreat, the expansive amnesty bill to absolve all those involved in Thailand's political conflict going back to 2004 already yielded longer-term ramifications.
The politics behind Thailand's amnesty controversy
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/11/2013
» Thaksin Shinawatra has achieved a feat undoable by other Thais. By trying to absolve himself of a criminal conviction and other alleged crimes and infractions, Thaksin has united his rank-and-file supporters and opponents.
Opportunities and risks in Myanmar's chairmanship
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 05/10/2013
» No country resembles a laboratory of political and economic development more than Myanmar. A country with effectively two capitals, old and new, in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar is briskly moving from one reform to another. Its multiple exchange rate system has been unified and stable. The infrastructure is receiving facelifts all over, much slower than demand but moving forward nevertheless. Human resource capacity is being bolstered in short order.
Thailand fits bill as tough broker on South China Sea
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/09/2013
» Over the past several years, tensions in the South China Sea over conflicting territorial claims between Asean states and China have become Southeast Asia's thorniest obstacle for regional peace and prosperity.
Pheu Thai can win, but at what cost?
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/08/2013
» Those puzzled by the recurrent political turmoil over the past decade should look at the past few weeks in Bangkok as a microcosm of the trials and tribulations of Thai democracy.
Election in little Cambodia has bigger implications
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 02/08/2013
» The preliminary election results in Cambodia are tantamount to a political lightning strike on the incumbent regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the country's electoral strongman who has been at the helm for close to three decades.