Title: SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE: MYANMAR, THAILAND AND MALAYSIA AS CASE STUDIES
Tentative Programme:
ABSTRACT:
In the 1990th and especially following the Asia crisis in 1997/98 all over the region there was an expectation of a transformation towards established democratic systems, with a strong middle class as its base. Today the situation has changed to quite a degree. We have Malaysia as a rather stable case of at least democratic procedures. There is only one constitution, regularly elections are held, which have political consequences. The political role of the military and bureaucracy is very limited. In Thailand, in contrast, the constitution is of minor relevance. Usually following a coup the constitution is changed. Democratic procedures like elections etc. take place irregularly. Most parties are organized around one person and play a rather minor role in political decision making. However, prior to the last coup in 2014 there were open pluralist public discourses and little media censorship. Myanmar was characterized by an authoritarian, repressive military regime. Only since 2011 has this changed and the first free elections took place in 2015.
In the presentation I will look at three issues for an analysis:
As a preliminary, tentative conclusion, in Malaysia, the integration of the multi-ethnic society and thus different majorities as well as interdependencies require a more or less neutral legal system and pluralist political power and political decision making. Consequently, democratic procedures have to be maintained.
PRESENTER’S PROFILE:
Visiting positions:
Main research fields:
Urbanism and Globalization, State formation and social change in Southeast Asia, history of Southeast Asia