Burma receives a paltry amount of foreign assistance. This is because donors rescinded aid and devised new policies strictly limiting cooperation with the Burmese government in response to the military’s ruthless crackdown on protests in August 1988 and the junta’s subsequent failure to establish democracy. The little assistance that remains is primarily humanitarian. This paper begins with the premise that carefully considered, attentively applied, closely monitored aid can be effective in eventually bringing about governance reforms in Burma
Chotesungnoen, K. (2007) Politics and Bureaucracy Behind Thai Government's Issuance of Compulsory Licensing (CL)
Title: Politics and Bureaucracy Behind Thai Government's Issuance of Compulsory Licensing (CL)
Author: Kamolrat Chotesungnoen
Year: 2007
Keywords: THAI GOVERNMENT'S COMPULSORY LICENSING/ NATIONAL POLITICS/ MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S BUREAUCRACY
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Abstract:
This research seeks to elaborate and identify the determining factors that led to the Thai government's issuance of CL during the military-installed government of General Surayud Chulanont (October 2006 - January 2008). This research places an emphasis on two contexts: 1) national politics that provided political opportunities following the September 19, 2006 coup d'etat; and 2) the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)'s bureaucracy and its key features. Research findings revealed that national politics was a determining factor. The conceptual framework of "Political Opportunity Structure (POS)" was applied to analyze the changed dimensions of the Thai state that provided incentives for MoPH bureaucrats to undertake collective action and to eventually bring about CL. It found that previous Thai governments and concerned authorities, particularly during the period of 1998-2006, had been submissive and could not withstand international pressure and trade sanctions. Thus the issues of access to medicines was not taken as a priority, and was even swept aside when the country was under increasing domination of neoliberal globalization and international trade interests. Research findings showed that the September 19 coup opened up political opportunities for the Thai government's ability to issue CL. The political opportunities include the reconfiguration of national cleavage structure and institutional structure. Research findings showed that the MoPH's bureaucracy was another determining factor. This research applied the framework of "Politico-Administrative Structure (PAS)" to characterize the relationship and bargaining among bureaucrats (political and civilian) as well as between bureaucrats and non-state actors (civil society and drug, TNCs). It elaborated that cultural and structural/functional features of the MoPH's bureaucracy were accountable. Cultural elements were manifested in two aspects: 1) the MoPH's philosophy; and 2) institutional perceptions on the right to access to healthcare and medicines at both the national level and the level of the MoPH. Structural and functional dimensions also significantly contributed to the issuance of CL by transforming structural limitations into an active (functional) administrative policy. The success of CL issuance derived from four major implications: 1) decentralization and authority dispersion; 2) putting a panel under the direct supervision of the MoPH Minister; 3) not deferring the final decision to the cabinet; and 4) using the prevailing strategy of "highly coordinated" in dealing with health civil society. Lastly, this research built on preceding analysis and offered a reassessment of capacity, authority, and autonomy behind the Thai government's issuance of CL. Among these three fundamental aspects, research findings proved that autonomy was a determining factor.
Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com
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BIOPOWER CERTIFICATE TRANSLATION TO MARKET ECONOMY COMMUNITY COUNTRY OWNERSHIP COUNTRY RECONSTRUCTURE CURRENT EDUCATION IN THE CAMP DEMOCRACY IN BURMA DEMOCRATIZATION DISCOURSE EDUCATION EUROPEAN UNION FTA WATCH GOOD GOVERNANCE HIGHER EDUCATION HOCHIMINH CITY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ISSURANCE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION KAREN REFUGEES KHMER ROUGE MIGRATION MYANMAR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NGO OTOP PARTICIPATORY MANGROVE FORESTRY POLICY IMPLEMENTATION POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPERS REINTEGRATION RESISTANCE SENSITIVE SERVICES SHADOW STATE POLITICS SMES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL EVILS STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TAK PROVINCE THAI-BURMA BORDER THAI-KAREN PEOPLE THAI FEMALE THAKSIN SHINAWATRA VIETNAM WORK OPPORTUNITIES WORLD BANK REFORMS WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Vongsuksiri, R. (2007) Global Market Pressures and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study of Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers in Thailand
Title: Global Market Pressures and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study of Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers in Thailand
Author: Rojanayol Vongsuksiri
Year: 2007
Keywords: GLOBAL MARKET PRESSURES / CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY/ ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY
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Abstract:
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be seen as a critical element in supporting the sustainable development of Thailand, specifically within the scope of environmental protection and conservation. The objective of this thesis is to identify the driving force of CSR in Thailand through an analysis of the Electrical and Electronic (EE) sector, including the perspective and rationale of business owners in implementing CSR policies, and to determine what motivates their businesses in Thailand to practice CSR and the difficulties they encounter. Five large manufacturers with a minimum of seventy percent export of total production were selected for case studies. Three have prominent environmental management and CSR practices and two had ambiguous CSR practices.
The research found that each of the four key players. i.e. the Government, civil society, buyers and manufacturers influence CSR at different levels. At the international level, stringent government regulations mandate industries to operate with minimal impact on the environment. Social pressure from consumers demanding 'green' products oblige businesses to be socially and environmentally responsible. However, at regional and national levels there is relatively weak regulation enforcement by governments to put pressure on the private sector to implement CSR. Furthermore, Thai consumers appear to have little awareness of environmental problems and the role of purchasing power in creating social pressure for environmentally-friendly products. However, the existence of an economy that is export-driven means that many manufactures and businesses are inevitably subject to the rules and regulations of importing markets and international buyers. Amid increasing competition it is imperative to meet the requirements of customers and consumers. In sum, the research found that global market pressures from international markets are a main CSR driving force in Thailand. With the lack of domestic government support in certain cases, financial means to implement CSR policies and environmental management appears to be the main obstacle to their general adoption.
Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com
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BIOPOWER CERTIFICATE TRANSLATION TO MARKET ECONOMY COMMUNITY COUNTRY OWNERSHIP COUNTRY RECONSTRUCTURE CURRENT EDUCATION IN THE CAMP DEMOCRACY IN BURMA DEMOCRATIZATION DISCOURSE EDUCATION EUROPEAN UNION FTA WATCH GOOD GOVERNANCE HIGHER EDUCATION HOCHIMINH CITY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ISSURANCE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION KAREN REFUGEES KHMER ROUGE MIGRATION MYANMAR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NGO OTOP PARTICIPATORY MANGROVE FORESTRY POLICY IMPLEMENTATION POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPERS REINTEGRATION RESISTANCE SENSITIVE SERVICES SHADOW STATE POLITICS SMES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL EVILS STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TAK PROVINCE THAI-BURMA BORDER THAI-KAREN PEOPLE THAI FEMALE THAKSIN SHINAWATRA VIETNAM WORK OPPORTUNITIES WORLD BANK REFORMS WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Myint, T. (2007) Creating Democratic Space in Myanmar: The Role of Civil Society Organizations
Title: Creating Democratic Space in Myanmar: The Role of Civil Society Organizations
Author: Tay Zar Moe Myint
Year: 2007
Keywords: DEMOCRATIC SPACE/CIVIL SOCIETY
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Abstract:
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been present and operating in Myanmar/Burma. The thesis argues that some CSOs in Burma are trying to reach out the poorest sectors of the country's populations, bringing to them development assistance for those who faced economic and social problems, and others are being seen as an agent for democratization process through its political engagement in public arena. The study then tries to find out how civil society organizations in Burma create democratic space under the authoritarian regime.
The study tries to understand present framework of the relationship between state and civil society organizations. The study chose the 88 Generation Students as a social movement organization which fights for democracy. It also chose Shalom Foundation as local NGO which focus on democratization. It also attempts to identify various approaches, strategies and ideologies of the organizations and examines strengths and weaknesses of them. It also analyzes the limitation of Burmese democracy and available space for CSOs in fostering democratization process in Burma.
The study concludes that there are limited political opportunities for CSOs in Burma to successfully bring about democracy at the national level, but there are certain political opportunities for NGOs, as part of civil society organizations working under humanitarian approach, to expand and politicize its existing public space and can be seen as a condition for fostering long-term democratization process inside the country.
Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com
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BIOPOWER CERTIFICATE TRANSLATION TO MARKET ECONOMY COMMUNITY COUNTRY OWNERSHIP COUNTRY RECONSTRUCTURE CURRENT EDUCATION IN THE CAMP DEMOCRACY IN BURMA DEMOCRATIZATION DISCOURSE EDUCATION EUROPEAN UNION FTA WATCH GOOD GOVERNANCE HIGHER EDUCATION HOCHIMINH CITY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ISSURANCE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION KAREN REFUGEES KHMER ROUGE MIGRATION MYANMAR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NGO OTOP PARTICIPATORY MANGROVE FORESTRY POLICY IMPLEMENTATION POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPERS REINTEGRATION RESISTANCE SENSITIVE SERVICES SHADOW STATE POLITICS SMES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL EVILS STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TAK PROVINCE THAI-BURMA BORDER THAI-KAREN PEOPLE THAI FEMALE THAKSIN SHINAWATRA VIETNAM WORK OPPORTUNITIES WORLD BANK REFORMS WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
Suphaphong, T. (2007) The Making of Political Space in Public Policy on Bilateral Free Trade Agreements: The Case of FTA Watch
Title: The Making of Political Space in Public Policy on Bilateral Free Trade Agreements: The Case of FTA Watch
Author: Theerada Suphaphong
Year: 2007
Keywords: FTA WATCH / SOCIAL MOVEMENT / FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Download PDF of Abstract: English Thai
Abstract:
The research question of this paper is: How is FTA WATCH able to make political space in gaining access to pressure and influence the policy process on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)? Using qualitative methodology and interpretations through social movement theory, this paper uses the term "the making of political space" as a conceptual framework which refers to the process which FTA WATCH creates and expands their influence into the realm of policy governance. It looks at the ways in which FTA WATCH operates in order to gain access over resources, to making the movement visible in the society, and to seek authority to influence changes.
The research reveals that the emergence and the operation of FTA WATCH are embedded in the context of the proliferation of FTAs which develop countries use in engaging in political and economic relations with developing countries. The government of Thailand has been eager to enter FTA negotiations with major economic power since 2003 onwards. However, the FTA policy governance was carried on in intransparent and accelerated manner without thorough impact assessments and substantive public consultation. The immediate results of FTAs caused vulnerabilities in the farming sector.
The members of FTA WATCH who are academics, activists from non-governmental organizations and grassroots network have formed a coalition to monitor and make changes in the policy governance. They can make political space under oppressive circumstances through the use of their accumulated knowledge on the issues related to the modalities in FTAs to create the discourse which counter argue with the government's discourse. They use a combination of strategies and tactics through institutional and non-institutional channels to influence changes in FTA policy governance.
Contact MAIDS-Chula for more information and full thesis at maidschula@gmail.com
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BIOPOWER CERTIFICATE TRANSLATION TO MARKET ECONOMY COMMUNITY COUNTRY OWNERSHIP COUNTRY RECONSTRUCTURE CURRENT EDUCATION IN THE CAMP DEMOCRACY IN BURMA DEMOCRATIZATION DISCOURSE EDUCATION EUROPEAN UNION GOOD GOVERNANCE HIGHER EDUCATION HOCHIMINH CITY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ISSURANCE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION KAREN REFUGEES KHMER ROUGE MIGRATION MYANMAR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NGO OTOP PARTICIPATORY MANGROVE FORESTRY POLICY IMPLEMENTATION POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY PAPERS REINTEGRATION RESISTANCE SENSITIVE SERVICES SHADOW STATE POLITICS SMES SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL EVILS STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TAK PROVINCE THAI-BURMA BORDER THAI-KAREN PEOPLE THAI FEMALE THAKSIN SHINAWATRA VIETNAM WORK OPPORTUNITIES WORLD BANK REFORMS WORLD SOCIAL FORUM