Appraising Democratic Developments in Postauthoritarian States: Thailand and Indonesia

Abstract

An in-depth explanation of different forms of democratic regimes distinguishes between structural & procedural democracy, elucidating the effects of inclusion, competition, & civil liberties. The events included in & leading to the transition from authoritarianism to democracy in Thailand & Indonesia are described. The author considers Thailand's advantages over Indonesia respecting the evolution to democracy, including its 1980s rotation toward semidemocracy. Also examined is the ongoing creation of the Indonesian & Thai constitutions. Recent developments, including Indonesia's June 1999 election & changes in its military policies, are compared with similar shifts in Thailand. The drawbacks & advantages accompanying political alterations are analyzed, leading to conclusions regarding the maturation, or lack thereof, in both countries' development of democracy. M. C. Leary.