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DE-THAKSINIZING THAILAND: THE LIMITS OF INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2021

Teri L. Caraway
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Abstract

Almost two decades after the initial victory of Thai Rak Thai, scholars still debate the forces behind Thaksin's rise to power. I revisit these debates and argue for a more explicit analysis of dynamics over time. I distinguish analytically between the founding moment of TRT's first victory and the subsequent reproduction of its dominance. I argue that TRT's financial muscle was a sufficient condition for its 2001 victory, that institutions merely contributed to the scale of its victory, and that its platform was not decisive. Once in power, however, institutions were instrumental in allowing TRT to complete its term, but more important for its long-term dominance was the rapid implementation of its campaign promises, which created a mass constituency that in turn made Thaksin-linked parties resilient at the polls despite institutional reforms designed to weaken their electoral performance.

Keywords

ThailandThaksin Shinawatraelectoral politicsinstitutional design
Type
Review Essay
Information
Journal of East Asian Studies , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , November 2020 , pp. 403 - 418
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the East Asia Institute.

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