Page 15 - เอกสารประกอบการประชุมวิชาการ ครั้งที่ 23

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1. Rationale

“Democracy” is a concept based on a political order that
guarantees the rights and power of the people. This concept
originated in ancient Greece and evolved through the Bill of
Rights 1689 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of

the Citizen 1789. Democracy has since succeeded in opposing
tyrannical regimes, Fascism, Nazism, as well as authoritarianism
across the world. Then, in the late twentieth century, democracy

prevailed over communism. Consequently, democracy became
widely recognized as “the only game in town”, the global
political landscape, and the set of rules and mechanisms that all
parties accepted.

However, since the beginning of the twenty-first century,
doubt has emerged regarding democracy and its inspiration,
creativity, and ability to deliver prosperity for the people. With
the War on Terror, freedoms have been stifled by the changing

landscape of security, economy, and politics. The roles of
leading democratic countries were questioned in the global
financial crisis of 2008. The failed Jasmine Revolution of 2011
brought about a failed state, saw people driven into exile, and

sparked migration all over the world. These problems also lead
to nationalism and fanaticism. Freedom House has noted
democratic regression, for years reporting that political rights and
freedom are in decline. The emergence of this phenomena has

meant significant deterioration of global democracy.

Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932.
Many changes have occurred through almost 90 years of Thai
democracy. The current period has seen the emergence of

“active citizens” who are more active and enthusiastic to
participate in politics, as well as “civic activism” of those who
demand that the government fulfill their needs. Additionally, the
rapid evolution of information and social media platforms has