CEOCambodiaNews wrote:The Thai military authorities have taken further control of the country through a seemingly democratic referendum which gives more power to the junta.

The Thai people have voted YES to the Draft Constitution in the national referendum.

Meaning they have chosen, democratically, for;

1. A military government during a transition period of at least five years to civilian rule. It could be many more than five years, that is now up to the military to decide.

2. A 250-member appointed Senate that includes the commanders of the army, navy, air forces and other security services.

3. A disagreement in the 500-member elected lower house could trigger the appointment of a prime minister who is not an elected member of parliament.

4. All laws and emergency decrees issued by the junta, without any parliamentary consent, will remain valid.

5. Any future civilian government will influenced by the military and controlled by appointed rather than elected officials.

The Election Commissioner, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, said at 7.30pm local time that with 91 percent of the votes counted, the YES camp received 61.5 percent of the votes, while 38.44 percent voted No in Sunday’s referendum.

He says counting will stop when 95 percent of the votes have been tallied.

He said the turnout was only 55 percent of the 50 million eligible voters.
http://pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/2295 ... tary-rule/

sigmoid wrote:Electoral democracy is highly over-rated and, with exception of a few small easily managed countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and Iceland, typically leads to failed states, for example Turkey, Cambodia, the Philippines, Germany, France, etc. due to instabilty and incompetence.

The most stable members of the AEC are those without elections: Vietnam, Laos and Brunei.

China and Russia are still roiling while the USA with its political circus of clown versus criminal is slipping into an imperial collapse that threatens to bring down all of Western civilization.

As we all know, Thailand is at an extremely crucial juncture and the junta is doing what it can with the available resources to preserve Thainess. They certainly aren't perfect but all we are saying is give a tightly-controlled one-party system a chance.

cptrelentless wrote:

sigmoid wrote:Electoral democracy is highly over-rated and, with exception of a few small easily managed countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and Iceland, typically leads to failed states, for example Turkey, Cambodia, the Philippines, Germany, France, etc. due to instabilty and incompetence.

Interesting choices there, Germany and France are failed states? They only have elections every four years or so, so not really unstable. I don't believe anyone has called their elections into question for the last 40 years at least. Surely if you're picking out countries with shitty political systems in Europe you'd pick the PIIGS. Or Belgium, which just went without a government.

sigmoid wrote:

Interesting choices there, Germany and France are failed states?

Good point but the assessment is not based on their elections, but is based on their current political situation, unpopular leaders (who were elected), and failed policies, especially in regard to immigration.

Sigmoid, what is 'Thainess' and if the military don't 'preserve' it, what do you think might replace It?
And why?
You have raised some valid points and I think they bear further discussion. Would you care to elaborate on that?

Your assessment on the viability of European states is a little subjective.

I am not persuaded that military dictatorships are the key to successful statehood. Do you have any examples in mind?

sigmoid wrote:Electoral democracy is highly over-rated and, with exception of a few small easily managed countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and Iceland, typically leads to failed states, for example Turkey, Cambodia, the Philippines, Germany, France, etc. due to instabilty and incompetence.

The most stable members of the AEC are those without elections: Vietnam, Laos and Brunei.

China and Russia are still roiling while the USA with its political circus of clown versus criminal is slipping into an imperial collapse that threatens to bring down all of Western civilization.

As we all know, Thailand is at an extremely crucial juncture and the junta is doing what it can with the available resources to preserve Thainess. They certainly aren't perfect but all we are saying is give a tightly-controlled one-party system a chance.

obelisks wrote:

sigmoid wrote:Electoral democracy is highly over-rated

your post reminded me very much of this quote


" Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy. "
Benito Mussolini