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.

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Summary and Comment
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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.

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A Guide to Peaceful Political Transitions
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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

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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