Items related to Democracy and National Identity in Thailand (Rethinking...

Democracy and National Identity in Thailand (Rethinking Southeast Asia) - Hardcover

Book 19 of 19: Rethinking Southeast Asia

Connors, Michael Kelly

 
9780415272308: Democracy and National Identity in Thailand (Rethinking Southeast Asia)
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0415272300 ISBN 13: 9780415272308
Publisher: Routledge, 2002

Synopsis

This book seeks to illuminate how Thai elites have used democracy as an instrument for order and discipline. Drawing on interviews, numerous Thai language sources, and critical theory, the author reveals a remarkable adaptation of the idea of democracy in the Thai context. Connors shows how elites have drawn on Western political theory to design projects to create modern citizens. He argues that it is possible to see the idea and practice of elite liberal democracy in Thailand, and elsewhere, as a key ideological resource in the project of securing hegemony over undisciplined populations. In this perspective the ideas of civil society, civic virtue, social capital and democracy itself are all part of the weaponry deployed in an effort to create 'good citizens', who act as guardians of the elite defined common good.

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About the Author

Michael Kelly Connors is Lecturer in Politics at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He has written articles for journals such as Democratization, Journal of Contemporary Asia and Thamyris, an International Journal of Feminist Inquiry.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Routledge
Publication date
2002
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0415272300
ISBN 13 
9780415272308
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
282