Chuan Leekpai on Thai democracy and politics as a vocation
By Jon Fernquest[Introduction|Vocabulary|Article]
[Reading Questions|Answers]
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Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai began his life in politics in the early 1970s as an elected member of parliament.
He has served as the head of the Democratic Party, the oldest surviving political party in Thailand.
He's seen the fortunes of Thai democracy rise and fall over all these years.
From this perspective, Chuan Leekpai is well-positioned to comment on the bumpy road the ideal of democracy has travelled over recently as well as the challenges it faces in the near future when elections are held in December.
Chuan Leekpai stresses several points in the interview.
Politics is a vocation with a unique set of skills requiring years of dedicated practice to develop.
Business skills, especially those of "monopoly-type businesses," are not relevant to the concerns of successfully functioning democracies in the long-run.
Politics is not just another kind of business.
The idea of "Politics as a Vocation" was first stressed by the German sociologist Max Weber in a famous essay that took this phrase as its title. [Weber, Wikipedia, Essay]
Thai democracy as an evolutionary process is also stressed in the interview.
Thai democracy has adapted the essentially western institution of democracy to the long-standing Thai tradition of absolute monarchy.
Compared with the long history of democracy in the West, this process of adaptation is really only in its initial stages.
The most crucial task for Thailand now is to "train a new generation of leaders."
Reading Questions
Here are some questions to guide your reading (See answers at end):1. What is the oldest political party in Thailand?
2. Where did the notion of democracy originate?
3. Does the West have a monopoly on defining what democracy is?
4. Why are Thai people so attached to monarchy?
5. What is the most long-standing and important feature of the Thai political system?
6. How has the institution of monarchy contributed to the survival and longevity of the Thai state?
7. What is the main difference between Western and Thai democracy?
8. What does the observation "we have adopted an instant product of their systematic development" mean? (Express your opinion)
9. What year was Chuan Leekpai first elected MP?
10. What sort of behaviours on the part of politicians are wrong in principle?
11. How can democracy be productive and counter-productive?
12. Would you sell your vote for a "small benefit given or promised you" ?
Why or why not? (Express your opinion)
13. What does Chuan Leekpai mean by "real democracy" ? (Express your opinion)
14. In the following sentence, how did the media become allies of those in power:
"The events which led to the Sept 19 coup resulted from the weakness of various stakeholders. The checks-and-balances mechanisms had been crippled, and the media did not help expose the injustice and became allies of those in power, intentionally or not."
15. How do NGOs and community groups differ from government civil servants in helping society?
16. Why is corruption much less likely in strong community organisations?
17. How does the public response to the latest coup differ from previous coups?
18. What kind of professional was Thaksin?
19. Is politics a profession with a skill set that has to be mastered over long periods of time or just another business for business people? (Express your opinion)
20. What skill set must politicians-to-be master?
21. What other careers are related to a career in politics?
22. How did Thailand become a "laboratory for experiments" under Thaksin? Was this good or bad for Thailand? (Express your opinion)
23. What social factors outside of parliamentary politics are crucial to the proper functioning of democracy?
Bangkok Post Article September 10, 2007
Thais can be proud of their democracy
Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai sees reason for hope that the Sept 19 coup will be the nation's last
Former leader and adviser to the oldest political party in Thailand Chuan Leekpai lays out how to make the Sept 19 coup the last one.
Question #1: Do you think democracy with its roots in the West is suitable for Thailand?
Chuan: I do not think that anyone can claim to be the rightful owner of democracy, not even the West. However, it was developed there and became an example for developing countries to follow.
In our case, we have a long experience of absolute monarchy. For over 800 years we were governed by a single system. That is why Thai people are so attached to the monarchy. Our country has survived many crises because of the monarchy.
At the same time, if we look at the development of democracy in Western countries, we realise that they took a longer time than we did. It seems that we have adopted an instant product of their systematic development, but we do not share the basic understanding. We seem to take democracy for granted, and we do not really appreciate what we have.
absolute monarchy - where the monarch has the power to rule his or her land or country and its citizens freely as he wishes with no laws or constitution restricting him, the religious authority may be able to discourage the monarch from some acts and the sovereign is expected to act according to custom, but there is no constitution or body of law above what is decreed by the monarch, well-bred and well-trained monarchs are raised for the role from birth, in practice power is often limited by either the aristocracy or by the clergy (See Wikipedia)
Question #2: What are the obstacles to our democratic development?
Answer: We cannot put the blame on the people who are not well prepared for democratic rule. The real problem lies with those in power who do not take the initiative to push the country toward real democracy.
When I was elected an MP for the first time in 1971, the MPs on the government side were demanding a budget increase. I opposed the idea since I believed that it was wrong in principle: MPs who could determine how the national budget would be used should not be allowed to spend the money on themselves.
There was a coup and the reason for it at the time was annoyance caused by that situation (Mr Chuan laughs). I tell this story to demonstrate that you cannot stage a coup just because you are annoyed. This kind of behaviour is an obstacle to democracy.
In summary, our country has decided to preserve our original institution - the monarchy - while adopting democracy as our government system. In democracy, people must have their rights, liberty and power for self-government through various mechanisms. There are, of course, actions that are counter-productive. Some people sell their votes, and this happens because of politicians who have sold their souls. People may base their decision on small benefits given or promised to them.
Real politicians who are dedicated to work for their country as part of the democratic process will not behave in such a way.
take the initiative - act first, be proactive, not just react to what others do
wrong in principle - violates an important principle or rule of right action
liberty - freedom to live your life the way you want to live it without interference from other people or the government
counter-productive - makes achieving a goal more difficult
Question #3: From what you have discussed, this is a contest between those who adhere to principles against those who aim to seize power for personal gain. In that case, what can be done to promote democracy?
Answer: Whenever business dominates politics, it also dictates to the mass media.
In the last 38 years, the roles and duties of the media were much different from what we see today. In the past, ideology played a crucial role. But today, the media are profitable businesses. They can no longer maintain impartiality. They are political tools.
It is quite obvious that during the Thaksin era, business-oriented politics and media businesses began to work together. But we must be fair to mention those who have not surrendered to political pressures. They have maintained their dignity and do not let political agendas cloud their judgement.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to keep business-oriented politicians in check. The events which led to the Sept 19 coup resulted from the weakness of various stakeholders. The checks-and-balances mechanisms had been crippled, and the media did not help expose the injustice and became allies of those in power, intentionally or not. Finally, the country came to a dead end, with no way out.
mass media - newspapers, TV channels, magazines, radio, etc...
impartiality - objectivity, without bias, not favouring one or the other side in coverage of issues
political agendas - set of political goals to achieve
cloud judgement - make decisionmaking so that it is not as clear and logical as it was before
stakeholders - people who will gain or lose from a decision
checks-and-balances mechanisms - parts of a government that limit another part of the government (so that no one part has absolute power)
crippled - made non-functional, made so they don't work anymore
expose - make publicly known
intentionally - willingly, not forced to do
a dead end - a state from which no more development is possible (a "dead end" on a street means the road ends, you have to turn around and go the way you came in)
Question #4: In defending people's interests, there are civil society organisations, apart from the media, such as community groups and NGOs. How do you view their role?
Answer: These organisations are important instruments in the country, outside the public sector which is a salaried system indifferent to external circumstances. They play a substantial role in helping society. They take care of marginalised groups, who are neglected by the official sector. These groups are genuinely admirable.
To strengthen the community, we must build a strong group of community members. Strong community members are not corrupt, and they are not those who squander ill-gotten funds, for that's what leads to the community's downfall.
marginalised groups - groups without to promote their interests
squander - waste
ill-gotten gains - profits gained in ways not acceptable to the public
Question #5: Four decades as a politician and 75 years of democracy, how do you rate the country's progress?
Answer: I believe that people who work in politics must take into account recent history, and have no regrets - not to grieve to the extent of losing the heart to move on. We should see things that happened as precious experience, for us to emerge with a brighter future.
After 75 years, I think the Thai democratisation is something we can be proud of. We must admire the monarchy, which as an institution has made great sacrifices. One must not forget the sincerity of King Rama VII in giving democracy to the people.
Our present King has all the qualities to lead a democratic nation. Thai people cherish and treasure the constitutional monarchy.
Coup after coup has made people realise that it is not what they want. Coup makers in the past could just carry on with a quiet populace. But the public today have become very vocal and critical. The same goes for the media. To me, all these are indicators of a positive change.
have no regrets - do not wish you had done something else instead
grieve - feel sad about over the end of something (for example, feel sad about a death)
cherish - take good care of because you love it
carry on - continue to do
populace - the people of a country
vocal - acting to make your opinion widely known (through protests, newspaper articles, TV shows)
Question #6: Less fortunate people say if they had to choose between a full stomach and democracy, many would pick the former because they could starve to death waiting for democracy.
Answer: This argument is not valid. A full stomach and democracy are two entirely different issues. You can be hungry or full, under either democracy or dictatorship.
To raise the issue that you go hungry under democracy undermines the democratic values. The notion leads to vote buying. To take bribes in exchange for votes is wrong. We should not condone such thinking.
undermines - prevent from functioning
Question #7: Comparing your experience to the last prime minister's, some may ask why they should they take the long, winding route of Mr Chuan, labouring for over a decade as MP, when they can reach the top in four or five years like Mr Thaksin?
A: I believe in professionalism. Mr Thaksin is a business professional, but his niche is in monopoly-type businesses. If Mr Thaksin had to compete in real, non-monopolistic endeavours, I don't think he would be up to it.
In the same vein, I could not compete with Mr Thaksin in the monopoly realm because he's a professional in that way.
Speaking of professionalism, many people criticise politicians as having no business background. That's not fair at all. If you look at industrialised countries, their politicians start off with a college education and then enter politics. In fact, politicians are not those without other career options. I could have gone on to become a judge, a prosecutor, or start my own little comfortable private practice. But I chose to do what I love to do. And once I'm in, it's a steep learning curve. A decent grip of economic issues is required and then one must know something about industry, social issues, defence and much more.
If we don't want this country to be a laboratory for experiments, we must train a new generation of leaders. And this takes time - Just as it does to hone business acumen. Children of entrepreneurs may have a head start but sons and daughters of ordinary folks like myself must start from zero.
I support everyone to climb the steps. This country's not a lab. The country needs many more professionals, but don't rush. Like fruit, they must mature on the tree, not through an artificial process of ripening. That way we get people with real potential.
professionalism - combining skill and high standards in doing a job
niche - area of specialisation
monopoly-type business - business in which others are prevented from participating by law (for example, a telecommunications concession someone gets from friends and connections)
endeavours - things that you do (working hard to achieve some goal)
in the same vein - in a similar way
a steep learning curve - to master a lot of difficult study is required
hone - improve a skill
acumen - skill at doing something
have a head start - have an initial advantage that puts them ahead of other people
rush - move too quickly
mature - become fully developed
Question #8: During your premiership, you were criticised as being too slow. Many of your critics were academics and thinkers.
A: I understand and acknowledge the criticism. At the same time, most of the criticism was based on feelings - emotions. My actions might not please everybody, but the most important consideration for me is public interest. But of course, I can't accomplish things overnight that way. Issuing orders in haste would just wreck it all.
Taking those criticisms in perspective, my critics must come forward with evidence that my acts breached rules, that I abused power or treated bureaucrats unjustly.
premiership - being Prime Minister
consideration - thing to consider (when making a decision)
public interest - benefits for the citizens of the country
in haste - acting too quickly without proper preparation
breached rules - broke rules, violated rules
Question #9: If we aspire to develop Thai democracy over the next 25 years, what should we do?
A: Twenty-five years is a long time in a human life, but for democratisation it's only an instant. There's no short cut to democracy. We must take the learning curve ourselves. There's no short way to implant a successful formula from somewhere else.
This relates to the challenge of passing knowledge from one generation to the next. If the next generation is not equipped with knowledge from past experience, they falter.
Let's be clear about not being exclusively dependent on the political side. Other mechanisms outside parliament are very important. Strong people and strong communities will hold their politicians accountable. The media must be committed to the public good. They must be critical and free of commercial influences.
With these elements in place, democracy will see brighter days ahead. We just need to give it a chance.
The coup on Sept 19 should be the last one. Any changes henceforth should be through a democratic process.
implant - place into a person's body by means of an operation
exclusively dependent on - rely on only one thing
[This article is part of a series of articles on Thai people and their experience with democracy, provided by the Sanya Dharmasakti Institute for Democracy, Thammasat University.]
Answer Key:
1. What is the oldest political party in Thailand?
The Democratic Party. Chuan Leekpai was head of this party for many years.
2. Where did the notion of democracy originate?
The West (ancient Greece).
3. Does the West have a monopoly on defining what democracy is?
No. The idea of democracy developed in the west and developing countries have followed this example, but developing countries will adapt it to their own circumstances.
4. Why are Thai people so attached to monarchy?
Because it has lasted for a very long time, for over 800 years.
5. What is the most long-standing and important feature of the Thai political system?
Absolute monarchy, the single system governing Thailand (and its predecessor states) for over 800 years.
6. How has the institution of monarchy contributed to the survival and longevity of the Thai state?
The institution of monarchy has enabled the state to survive many crises.
7. What is the main difference between Western and Thai democracy?
Western democracy has been around for a lot longer.
8. What does the observation "we have adopted an instant product of their systematic development" mean? (Express your opinion)
My interpretation: Over a very long period of time, the institution of democracy in the West has evolved with changing circumstances to meet the needs of the people in the west. ("systematic development") When Asian states suddenly adopt ("instant product") this long-evolved Western institution problems occur along the way. Democracy will have to evolve to Thai circumstances and this will take time and patience.
9. What year was Chuan Leekpai first elected MP?
1971.
10. What sort of behaviours on the part of politicians are wrong in principle?
a. Spending money on yourself while formulating the national budget.
b. Staging a coup just because you are annoyed with a political situation.
11. How can democracy be productive and counter-productive?
Productive:
a. People have rights
b. Liberty.
c. Power of self-governance
Counter-productive:
a. People sell their votes.
b. People base their decision on small benefits given or promised to them.
12. Would you sell your vote for a "small benefit given or promised you" ?
Why or why not? (Express your opinion)
13. What does Chuan Leekpai mean by "real democracy" ? (Express your opinion)
14. In the following sentence, how did the media become allies of those in power:
"The events which led to the Sept 19 coup resulted from the weakness of various stakeholders. The checks-and-balances mechanisms had been crippled, and the media did not help expose the injustice and became allies of those in power, intentionally or not."
The Thaksin administration managed the media and tried to reduce the amount of "negative" news thought to be bad for business, even if this news exposed injustice. To get the media in line, the strategy of pulling advertising from publications that did not conform was employed. As Pasuk and Baker's biography of Thaksin describes it: (On media management under the Thaksin administration, see Pasuk, Pongpaichit and Baker, Chris, 2004, Thaksin: The business of politics in Thailand, pages 149-155)
15. How do NGOs and community groups differ from government civil servants in helping society?
The Government civil service is a "salaried system indifferent to external circumstances."
NGOs and community groups take care of marginalised groups neglected by the official sector.
16. Why is corruption much less likely in strong community organisations?
Strong community organisations are governed by community members who would not destroy their own community by stealing from it.
("...they are not those who squander ill-gotten funds, for that's what leads to the community's downfall.")
17. How does the public response to the latest coup differ from previous coups?
In the past, people were quiet after coups. They did not voice their opinions in the media. They did not protest. In the last coup, people were vocal and critical.
18. What kind of professional was Thaksin?
A professional in monopoly-type businesses.
19. Is politics a profession with a skill set that has to be mastered over long periods of time or just another business? (Express your opinion)
20. What skill set must politicians-to-be master?
Knowledge of:
a. Economic issues.
b. Industry.
c. Social issues.
d. Defence.
21. What other careers are related to a career in politics?
a. A judge.
b. A prosecutor.
c. Private law practice.
22. How did Thailand become a "laboratory for experiments" under Thaksin? Was this good or bad for Thailand? (Express your opinion)
23. What social factors outside of parliamentary politics are crucial to the proper functioning of democracy?
a. Strong people and communities must hold their politicians accountable.
b. The media must be committed to the public good.
c. The media must be critical.
d. The media must be free of commercial influences.
