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Uncivil society and democracy's fate in Southeast Asia: democratic breakdown in Thailand, increasing llliberalism and ethnic cleansing in Myanmar
[journal article]
Abstract Civil society scholarship has repeatedly warned of the dangers of uncivil society for young democracies. However, it remains unclear when and how uncivil society becomes an instrument of democratic backsliding. Using Thailand and Myanmar as its case studies, the article discusses the origins, ideolo... view more
Civil society scholarship has repeatedly warned of the dangers of uncivil society for young democracies. However, it remains unclear when and how uncivil society becomes an instrument of democratic backsliding. Using Thailand and Myanmar as its case studies, the article discusses the origins, ideology, and impact of several uncivil society groups, deepening our knowledge on the latter's role in democratic backsliding/breakdown. It argues that uncivil society can act as useful resource for conservative elites seeking to derail democratisation processes. Particularly in times of a perceived or manufactured national crisis, uncivil society successfully pursues illiberal agendas - often in tandem with established elites of the former regime. Also highlighted are the core mechanisms through which uncivil society leads to democratic backsliding/breakdown, as well as the long-term effects these movements have on the erosion of social trust and civility and the poisoning of inter-class or inter-religious relations.... view less
Keywords
Southeast Asia; Thailand; Myanmar; authoritarian system; political development; political movement; ethnic conflict; political conflict
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Ideologie; Innenpolitischer Konflikt; Minderheitenfrage; Politische Elite; Verhältnis Gesellschaft - Staat
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 372-394
Journal
Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 42 (2023) 3
ISSN
1868-4882
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed