Functions and Forms of Government Assoc. Prof. Amporn W. Tamronglak, Ph.D. Faculty of Political Science Thammasat University

Suggested readings Collander and Hunt, Chapter 13, 14 and 15

Why do we need Government? The guardian of internal social order and to protect its citizens from internal and external enemies. Ensuring justice Safeguarding individual freedoms Regulating individuals’ actions (to guard against the evil) Promoting the general welfare (health services, education, social security, and other benefits)

How do you see government? As a necessary evil As a positive good As an unnecessary evil

Government is a necessary evil Tell us what we can do and what we cannot do: to prohibit, restrain, regulate, compel and coerce by passing laws

Government as a positive good It serves to balance the various forces in the society and to promote common good.

Government as an unnecessary evil The government is seen as bad guys, an instrument of oppression, taking all property and ownership from the people in the community. Example is communist government

How strong the government should be? Liberal: less government, more freedom to individual’s life Conservative: government is a moral keeper Anarchist: strong government to guard against any corrupted institutions

Political Ideology Deal with the questions: who will be the rulers, how are they selected, what principle used to govern? Constitute the argument to persuade or to counter opposing views Embrace a program for the defense or reform or abolition of important social institutions Normative, ethical, moral in tone and content, etc.

Two major political ideologies 1.Autocratic ideologies 2.Democratic Ideology

1. Autocratic ideologies Government in the hands of one individual or group of individuals Authoritarian: ruled by a dictator or clique forbidding all activities that threaten its position, “obedience.” Leave people a measure of choice as far as not interfering with the rule of the leader Totalitarian: control all aspects of individual’s life, “worship” Loyalty to the party and the state Loyalty to the party and the state Ruled by leaders Ruled by leaders One-party monopoly One-party monopoly A controlled press A controlled press

Totalitarianism of the right Fascism: Benito Mussolini after WWI Distrust of reason, the denial of basic human equality, a code of behavior based on violence and distortion of truth Distrust of reason, the denial of basic human equality, a code of behavior based on violence and distortion of truth Only a small minority of the population, qualified by birth, education, or social standing are able to understand and do what was best for the whole society Only a small minority of the population, qualified by birth, education, or social standing are able to understand and do what was best for the whole society Nazism: Adolf Hitler, the idea is mainly similar to fascism, only the leader is different and sometime considered a subtype of fascism

Totalitarianism of the left Communism: Karl Marx’s thought total government control of the economy and total income redistribution with the ultimate aim of a classless society, an egalitarian society Initiated as a results of the Industrial Revolution, as a reaction to the hunger, disease, poverty, and lack of medical care

2. Democratic Ideology Democracy: Assume that people are capable of developing a culture to learn to listen to discussion and argument Assume that people are capable of developing a culture to learn to listen to discussion and argument All humans should be regarded as equal in legal status and in their rights to seek the good life All humans should be regarded as equal in legal status and in their rights to seek the good life Individual is the primacy, freedom of speech, citizen participation Individual is the primacy, freedom of speech, citizen participation Rule by law and constitutionalism Rule by law and constitutionalism

American System of Government The presidential system The people elect the leader, the president, directly or indirectly through the electoral college Federalism: the national govt. and the 50 states 3 branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial powers, “separation of powers” Checks and balances Limited government

Parliamentary and presidential systems ParliamentaryDistinctionsPresidential Prime Minister # President Leadership President as head of state and government Fusion between the executive and legislative branches Separation of powers Executive # Legislative, judiciary Vote of no- confidence or party vote Removal from Office Impeachment

Other system Parliamentary government People elect the legislature and the legislators elect the executive, Prime Minister

What are the issues in Thai Politics? Vote buying Corrupted politicians Bipartisan politics, etc. Any remedies?

Voting Behavior: The Bradley Effect The Bradley effect says that some white voters who tell pollsters that they will vote for a black candidate often have second thoughts in the voting booth, on election day, vote for the white opponent.

The “bandwagon effect” The “bandwagon effect” suggests that a small but significant number of persuadable voters will decide at the last minute to go with the winner. It explains the behavioral psychology of people who tend to follow the crowd/ fads and trends regardless of its merits. To “hop on the bandwagon”

Place the following steps of political campaigning in the right order. Then, give details to explain how to do each step. ____ Choose a strategy. ____ Gather the necessary materials. ____ Figure out why you might want to run. ____ Find a campaign team. ____ Get the message out. ____ Decide on a campaign budget. ____ Raise money if necessary. ____ Decide to run for office. Exercise: The Political Campaigning Process

__4__ Choose a strategy. With your team, decide on the best way to sell yourself as the best option. This includes messages as well as means. __6__ Gather the necessary materials. What do you need? Posters, flyers, ads, etc. __1__ Figure out why you might want to run. Are your opinions and views not being met? Do you disagree with how the organization is being run? If yes, you might want to run for office. Solution

__3__ Find a campaign team. Find a group of supporters who are willing to help you get elected to office. These people will support you and help you do the work necessary. __7__ Get the message out. Spend the bulk of the campaigning time getting your message out and telling people why you are the best choice. __5__ Decide on a campaign budget. Raise money if necessary. How much will your strategy cost? If it’s more than you have, figure out a way to earn money. If you cannot earn more money, you may need to change the strategy. __2__ Decide to run for office. If you feel like you can do a better job that who is currently there, you should run for office. The decision might need an official statement or application to run depending on the organization.

Assignment Suppose you’ve decided to run for the political office, select one of the political/social issues and design your campaign. Among your group of 3, write your campaign on the topic of your interest for a page long Times New Roman 12 double space Send me via my at by next Tuesday the latest Don’t forget your names, ID, and seat #

Final paper assignment

Group Presentation Format Two presenters are randomly drawn and grade will be given equally the same to all members in the group. If you decide to do the “play,” please notify me in advance. No draw will be made. Presentation needs to be clear, easy to follow, innovative and interesting.

What should be in the “paper”? The reasons for doing this campaign/topic/issue/problem The purpose of the paper. Message is clear, easy to understand, and doable. Key words/ motto/ slogan would help sending the message out. Be careful not to overstate your message. Remember: “plagiarism” is a serious crime. “F” grade will be given for this particular act. References

See you next week. Thanksgiving’s Day