U.S. ACADEMIC DISCUSSES OPPOSITION PARTY POLITICS WITH RED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHIANG MAI 000093 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR PHU DEPARTMENT FOR EAP AND IIP/SDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM SCUL SOCI TH SUBJECT: U.S. ACADEMIC DISCUSSES OPPOSITION PARTY POLITICS WITH RED AND YELLOW SHIRT AUDIENCE CHIANG MAI 00000093 001.2 OF 002 Sensitive but unclassified; please handle accordingly. -------------- Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (U) As redshirt, yellowshirt, and other politically active groups struggle to define their roles in Thai society, Consulate Chiang Mai hosted a U.S. speaker, who discussed with them the role of opposition parties in the U.S. system. An expert on the American political system, Dr. Larry Berman, a political science professor from the University of California Davis, spoke about peaceful political transitions and the important role played by opposition parties. Participants throughout his program were actively engaged, making for lively question and answer periods. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Dr. Berman's two presentations, and the discussions that they catalyzed, helped to further the mission's goals of enhancing international understanding and building democratic institutions. Dr. Berman noted that Thailand can certainly draw important institutional lessons from the United States' political system. However, he also emphasized the importance of cultural change, highlighting the need for Thailand to tackle corruption and promote a commitment to democratic ideals at all levels of society before democracy can become entrenched in the social fabric. We will continue to impress on all political actors the need for Thailand to continue adhering to democratic norms. End Summary and Comment. -------------- -------------- A Guide to Peaceful Political Transitions -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Thailand's history of military coups and contested elections makes any discussion of political transitions highly relevant and potentially contentious. During his three sessions, Dr. Berman artfully guided spirited discussions on the appropriate role of opposition parties and the factors which contribute to peaceful political transitions. The morning session, held at Chiang Mai University, was attended by both faculty and students; the lunch session was comprised of academics; and politically active leaders made up the audience in the afternoon session. The program was made possible by funding from the Bureau of International Information Programs and the Public Affairs Section at Embassy Bangkok. ¶4. (U) In his presentations, Dr. Berman observed that in a vibrant democracy, majority parties can never feel secure; they must always imagine that a minority party may one day claim the majority. As such, debate over any particular issue must be continuous, and all parties must build consensus out of the campaigning process. In mature democracies, governing parties cannot flout the law, knowing full well that they may one day be in opposition and will need their political opponents to obey the laws they pass. ¶5. (SBU) Dr. Berman also pointed out that never in the history of the United States has the military or the police force been used to keep a party or an incumbent in power. Control over the government has always been turned over to the winning candidate. Dr. Berman emphasized three important factors which facilitate these peaceful handovers of political power: -- The US has an independent judiciary, free of political influence, which protects the civil liberties of both majority and minority party candidates. -- The US has ensured civilian control of the military. In other countries, leaders have secured political power by maintaining control over the military. In the US, members of the military take an oath not to interfere in civilian political affairs. -- The United States has also cultivated a widespread cultural commitment to democratic ideals. American citizens, at all levels of society, understand the procedural norms that facilitate political transition and agree to abide by the rules put in place. These procedural norms ensure a cultural commitment to majority rule and the simultaneous protection of minority rights. ¶6. (SBU) Dr. Berman's afternoon session brought together over 40 representatives from both the red and yellowshirts. Despite their divergent political views, audience members engaged in a thoughtful and non-confrontational discussion of the institutional parameters critical to a functioning democracy. In response to questions posed by the audience, Dr. Berman CHIANG MAI 00000093 002.2 OF 002 provided the following recommendations and observations: -- Thailand needs to develop local structures which promote democratic participation at the grassroots level and not just at the top political level. -- Thailand must ensure that its military leaders are the best and brightest. Promotions should be based on academic performance and the ability to do the job, rather than on cronyism. Furthermore, military leaders should be able to signal their disagreement with RTG policy or orders from the Palace by resigning in protest. Although military leaders must accept civilian control, officers always have the option to step down. -- Although national level politics is dominated by two parties, the US has many political parties, and these parties can impact local and regional politics. The role these smaller parties play in regional politics can serve as a model for Thailand's multi-party system. -- When asked about the impact of special interest groups on American politics, Dr. Berman admitted that special interest groups may be able to sway elected officials but that these officials will not be re-elected if they do not represent the interests of their constituents. ¶7. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Bangkok. MORROW