The Principal Political Culture Of Rural Village In Northeastern Thailand: Does It Underpin Or Obstruct Democratic Development?

Abstract

This research aimed to study the principal political culture of villagers in rural villages in northeastern Thailand, which has been embedded in the villagers' ideas, beliefs, values, and behaviors related to the political system for a long time. The data used in this paper were drawn from the qualitative research conducted in two Northeastern Thai villages, of which the data-collection techniques included in-depth interviews, non-participant observations, and focus group discussions. Forty informants who participated in the research were local scholars, village leaders, villagers, and outsiders, including academics, intellectuals, and politicians.

According to the research, the principal political culture of the Northeastern Thai villagers in the research sites can be categorized into two forms: 1) Culture related to ideas, beliefs, and values of people in the political system. This culture includes the belief that politics is elections and politics is the exchange of interests between politicians and pe[1]ople, belief in subservience to authority, and belief in fate and misfortune. 2) Culture related to political behavior patterns. This culture consists of apathy toward public interests, a greater awareness of political information but less political discussion and avoiding confrontation and expressing conflicting opinions on political issues.