Socioeconomic endurance during the post-coup conflict : A case study of a community in mandalay region, central myanmar

Title: Socioeconomic endurance during the post-coup conflict : A case study of a community in mandalay region, central myanmar

Author: Miss Htet Yamone Win

Year: 2024

Keywords: Community Resilience, Socioeconomic hardship, post-coup adaptation, Myanmar

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Naruemon Thabchumpon

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Myanmar’s post-coup context has severely affected the local communities through the ongoing multiple crises in governance, livelihoods, and security matters. Myanmar military’s attempt to coup in 2021 triggered widespread resistance, including both non-violence and armed-resistance strategies, and led to sharp economic decline and public service disruptions. Those crises have been reshaping everyone’s daily life in Myanmar. While the much of existing literature focuses on those who have fled the country, this study centers on the experiences of individuals and communities who remain in the country, embracing the direct impact of political repression, economic instability and social fragmentation. Focusing on a township in Mandalay Region of Central Myanmar, a place where both local resistance and military operations are strong, this research examines how residents continue to navigate their daily life struggles under authoritarian conditions. For many individuals in the township, migration is not a viable option due to financial difficulties, political constraints, family obligations, and the risks associated with fleeing. Through a qualitative case study approach, guided by the Community Resilience Framework (CRF), this study explores how those who remain have developed the adaptive strategies across four dimensions: economic development, social capital, information and communication, and then community competence. With a particular focus on a localized analysis, the findings reveal that resilience in this context is marked by constrained endurance shaped by fear, inequality, and emotional fatigue. Therefore, this study contributes to broader discussions on community resilience in the conflict-driven settings and offers valuable insights into how these populations persist in the face of systemic violence and state repression

Reckoning movement parties : In-depth analysis of movement engagement and development perspective from the indonesian labour party

Title: Reckoning movement parties : In-depth analysis of movement engagement and development perspective from the indonesian labour party

Author: Mr.Margianta Surahman Juhanda

Year: 2024

Keywords: Movement parties, social movements, Indonesian Labour Party, democratic representation, intergenerational dynamics, Southeast Asian politics

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Pitch Pongsawat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This study examines the Indonesian Labour Party (ILP) as a significant case study of movement parties in Southeast Asia's democratic landscape. The research investigates how the ILP, emerging from grassroots organizations and trade unions, navigates the complex relationship between social movements and formal political representation. Following recent changes in Indonesia's electoral threshold regulations, this study employs qualitative methodology, including in-depth interviews, to analyze the party's development trajectory and its engagement with social movements. Particular attention is paid to intergenerational dynamics within the party, examining how ideological perspectives and activism strategies differ between younger and older members. The research aims to contribute to the broader understanding of movement parties' role in democratic societies, specifically addressing the challenges of maintaining coherent representation while balancing diverse social movement demands. This study's findings will provide valuable insights into the evolution of movement parties in Southeast Asia and their impact on inclusive democratic development

Thailand’s Indigenous Rights Bills: Ideological Contestation through the Lens of Multiple Streams Framework and Powers of Exclusion

Title: Thailand’s Indigenous Rights Bills: Ideological Contestation through the Lens of Multiple Streams Framework and Powers of Exclusion

Author: Miss Tawanrat Marit

Year: 2023

Keywords:

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Carl Nigel Middleton

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Indigenous communities and ethnic groups have been experiencing marginalization due to the introduction of environmental laws and the prioritization of the national security agenda during the Cold War era. This has led to significant challenges such as land disputes, eviction, and loss of cultural identity. Accordingly, Indigenous communities have mobilized a social movement to advocate for inclusive policy changes. In 2022, Thailand is at a watershed moment as five versions of the Draft Indigenous Rights Bill are under consideration. Thus, this thesis examines the ideological contestations and policy networks involved in the drafting process of Thailand’s Draft Indigenous Rights Bill to analyze the agendasetting of the Bill. The study applies a hybrid conceptual framework that integrates the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF), Policy Network Analysis (PNA), the powers of exclusion, and Subaltern Counterpublics. It aims to dissect the roles of policy actors and ideological divergent in shaping the agenda-setting and potential policy outcomes of the Draft Bill. The data is collected from in-depth interviews with the key informants who involve in the process of drafting the Bills, as well as document review. This thesis contends that the ideological contestation between Indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and national security has significantly influenced the Bill's agenda-setting. In the problem stream, Indigenous rights issues have gained recognition from the government through indigenous movements and advocacy. The analysis from the policy stream finds that the process of presenting the draft Bills is highly dynamic due to the involvement of Indigenous networks, government agencies, and civil society. As they seek to have their solutions adopted, each policy network employs the strategies analyzed through the lens of powers of exclusion. Lastly, the poltics stream finds that the roles of Members of Parliament, bureaucrats, and legislators contribute to national moods and political conditions that enable and constrain the policy windows that allow the bill to be considered.

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)'s role in digitalization for vocational education development: A comparative analysis of Indonesia and Thailand

Title: Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)'s role in digitalization for vocational education development: A comparative analysis of Indonesia and Thailand

Author: Miss Anastasia Sylvia

Year: 2022

Keywords: Regional Cooperation in Education, Vocational Education, Industry 4.0, Digitalisation in Education, Indonesia, Thailand, SEAMEO, GIZ, SEAMEO VOCTECH

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Vong-on Phuaphansawat

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This thesis focuses on the role of the SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) role in vocational education development in Industry 4.0. Nowadays, there is a demand for the education sector to align with Industry 4.0, known as Education 4.0. In 2018, the SEAMEO, in collaboration with the GIZ, launched a Regional In-Service Training Modules project to support vocational education for Education 4.0. This study compares the impact of the Regional In-Service Training Modules project in two countries with a medium level of education performance in Southeast Asia: Indonesia and Thailand.This study employs a qualitative method with a case study. Data are collected from depth-interviews with 11 key informants, concept notes, original publications and literature from reliable sources. Data are analyzed using a thematic analysis method and Stuffle Beam's CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model as a conceptual framework.Overall, this thesis concludes that SEAMEO matters for education development and supporting digitalisation in vocational education for Indonesia and Thailand.There are three significant findings from this study. Firstly, this study found that SEAMEO has provided access to conduct a project at the regional level and gather participants from 11 countries simultaneously. However, SEAMEO's level of intervention is limited due to their non-binding and non-intervention nature, like ASEAN. Secondly, this study found that digitalisation in vocational education does not mean going fully digital; Instead, vocational education shifts towards blended learning by combining online and face-to-face learning. The analysis concludes that practical skills in vocational education are hard to be taught online. Thirdly, the project's different outcomes at the national level are affected by national policy, participants' initiative, funding from GIZ and governments, and the center for practical training readiness in teaching about Industry 4.0.Based on the findings and analysis, this study recommends that SEAMEO collaborate with private sectors for their upcoming project to improve their quality. Secondly, vocational education institution in Indonesia and Thailand should strengthen their relationship with Industry to understand the criteria for skilled labor that Industry expects. Last, the Indonesian and Thai governments could learn from each other to improve education policiesThis thesis aims to study the role of SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education) in developing vocational education in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Currently, there is a need for the education sector to develop in line with Industry 4.0, or Education 4.0. In 2022, SEAMEO, together with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), launched the Regional In-Service Training Modules project to support vocational education in Industry 4.0. This research compares the outcomes of the Regional In-Service Training Modules project in two Southeast Asian countries with average educational outcomes: Indonesia and Thailand. This research employs qualitative methods with case studies. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 11 key informants, recording key ideas, original publications, and literature reviews from reliable sources. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis and the Stuffle Beam's CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model as the overall conceptual framework for this thesis. In summary, SEAMEO is crucial for the development of education and digital support in vocational education for Indonesia and Thailand. This study yielded three key findings: Firstly, the study found that SEAMEO provides access to implement regional projects and brings together participants from 11 countries simultaneously. However, SEAMEO's level of intervention is limited due to its lack of legally binding effect and its non-intervention compared to ASEAN. Secondly, the study found that the digital transformation in vocational education does not necessarily mean full digitalization, but rather a shift towards blended learning combining online and face-to-face classroom learning. The analysis concludes that teaching practical skills in vocational education online is challenging. Thirdly, the differing outcomes of projects at the national level are impacted by national policies, participant initiatives, funding from GIZ and the government, and centers for practical training readiness in industry-related instruction. 4.0 Based on this research and analysis, it is recommended that SEAMEO collaborate with the private sector on future projects to improve quality. Secondly, vocational education institutions in Indonesia and Thailand should strengthen their relationships with industry to understand the criteria for skilled labor that industry expects. Finally, the Indonesian and Thai governments can learn from each other to improve their educational policies more effectively.

Studying the Failure of Democratization in Myanmar from the Perspective of Electoral Politics

Title: Studying the Failure of Democratization in Myanmar from the Perspective of Electoral Politics

Author: Miss Su Myat Noe

Year: 2022

Keywords: Myanmar, elections, military coup, democratization.

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This paper will examine the relations between elections and democratic transition in Myanmar after 2010. From 2011 until the coup in February 2021, Myanmar had elections to elect a government after decades of military rule. The elections led to the first civilian government to form a government in 2016. In the past ten years of democratization, there have been no significant election fraud or manipulations. However, the electoral system in Myanmar could not be a stabilizing and legitimate institution for democratic rule. Rather, it was ineffective in embedding democratic values in society and in limiting the authority of the military and civilian political elites. In this paper, the instance of Myanmar is placed within the context of democratization literature and the ways in which elections affect the costs of oppression and toleration between the ruling party and the opposition. This paper will analyze that even when free and fair elections are held, the democratic process can still fail if the elections cannot increase the costs of oppression and decrease the costs of toleration. It will explain that, despite generally free and fair elections in Myanmar prior to the coup in February 2021, they were unable to hold the powerful institutions accountable to the people and foster a situation where elites upheld democratic norms and exercised self-control.

FPTP electoral system of Myanmar as a barrier for Ethnic Minority Inclusiveness in parliamentary decision-making

Title: FPTP electoral system of Myanmar as a barrier for Ethnic Minority Inclusiveness in parliamentary decision-making

Author: Miss Yamonh Pwint Thit

Year: 2022

Keywords: Inclusiveness, Ethnic Minority, FPTP, Representation

Theme: Civil society and Democracy

Advisor(s): Balazs Szanto

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: In Myanmar, the ethnic minority do not have equal access to public services to raise their issues and voices for it. They are not adequately represented in state institutions by the political system which does not grant the adequate opportunities to participate in decision-making at union level.Ethnic minorities believe that all groups should have equal access to public services and enjoy an efficient system of protection of human rights. Ethnic Diversity may result in tensions within the nation when one group is economically or socially or politically dominant or privileged. By being discriminated and marginalized through the political system, ethnic grievances have centered on the lack of inclusive decision making and it leads to internal tension and civil wars between ethnic groups and government. Hence, the lack of ethnic minority inclusiveness and a weak system of fair representation impact on the human security of ethnic minority groups. The electoral system of Myanmar, “First Past the Post” (FPTP) did not create a fair share of seats according to the number of votes each political party receives. As a result, these groups do not get their preferred representatives to raise their voices in parliament, while the winner who represents only some people becomes the representative of the whole constituency. Thus, Myanmar’s current electoral system is not creating inclusive representation of political parties in parliament.According to the principle of inclusivity, governance systems should ensure that all significant communities in a country are represented in state institutions and that they are granted adequate opportunities to meaningfully influence decision making. Paper will explain about the ethno-nationalism and the history of Myanmar, Electoral system and Constitution which diminish the inclusiveness and re-designing the considerable electoral system for better inclusiveness.