Seksan: Election, new govt won't be panacea

General News - Saturday December 15, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Seksan: Election, new govt won't be panacea

ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

This month's general election and the formation of a new government will not solve the country's prolonged social and political problems unless people at the grassroots level are empowered and given a fairer economic and political share, according to well-known political scientist Seksan Prasertkul.

A restructuring of social and economic power is another key factor to completely wipe out tension in society, said Mr Seksan, a former student activist.

He made his remarks at a recent annual meeting of political scientists, who agreed that the election was a good starting point to show that this country can change government through peaceful means.

However, they said there are still conflicts in society among groups of elite about dividing the power structure, which could lead to political tension in the future.

''Given the force of crucial globalisation, the military will be likely not to step out again, and another coup is therefore no longer a smart choice for the country to solve its conflicts,'' said Mr Seksan.

He said a political party winning a majority of seats in elections should not be an excuse for it to claim absolute power in society.

The globalisation of capitalism has created a young generation who do not feel they belong to any ruler, either a dictator or a democratic one.

Any new government needs to carry out economic reform to give equal opportunities to people, rather than implementing populist policies which mostly benefit the government's network of supporters.

A confrontation between businessmen and the middle class who can adjust and embrace capitalism and farmers and a labour force who are sceptical of those wielding power in their name is more evidence that an imbalance of social power remains, he said.

''The grassroots people have to be empowered. Don't let the forces of globalisation shake up the Thai state against its will,'' said Mr Seksan.

Nakarin Mektrairat, Thammasat University dean of the political science faculty, said he believed the national crisis will gradually be resolved after the election.

''After the election, Thailand will face less international pressure. Any prolonged problems will be gradually solved according to their respective channels, but new problems will certainly crop up, including an oil price increase,'' said Mr Nakarin.

Bangkok Post