1. Balanced Institutional Reform Dr. Allen Hicken University of Michigan Visiting Researcher, Thammasat University

4. Institutions Shape: Incentives Capabilities Behavior

5. ReformInstitutions Norms Culture

6. What is the best ____ for Thailand? Electoral system System of government Form of democracy Type of political party

7. What is the best ____ for Thailand? It depends.

8. Doctor, I have a problem.

9. 3 Questions for Reformers What, specifically, is the problems that you are trying to fix? What do you think is the source of that problems? How would the proposed reform remedy that problem?

10. Two Trade-offs MajoritarianProportional Decisiveness Identifiability Accountability Representation Powersharing Stability

11. Two Trade-offs MajoritarianProportional Local National Close ties with local constituents Responsive to local demands Close ties with party Responsive to national demands

12. Two Trade-offs MajoritarianProportional Local National

13. Three Areas of Reform 1.Playing around with the PM 2.Playing around with parties 3.Combatting Corruption

14. Playing around with the PM Directly elected PM PM chosen by the parliament but separate survival of Executive and Legislature Non-partisan PM

15. Playing around with the PM Directly elected PM  Presidentialized PMs  Presidentialized parties  Two-tier party system  No greater stability or discipline in legislature

16. Playing around with the PM Directly elected PM PM chosen by the parliament but separate survival of Executive and Legislature Non-partisan PM

17. Three Constraints on PMs Prime Minister Voters Legislation Survival Parliament

18. Playing around with the PM Directly elected PM PM chosen by the parliament but separate survival of Executive and Legislature Non-partisan PM – Usually crisis driven – Usually temporary

19. Playing around with Parties Independents or No? – Independents not allowed – Independents allowed Often not “independent” Not any better candidates/MPs Greater money politics

20. Playing around with Parties Independents or No? – Independents not allowed – Independents allowed – Parties not allowed Elections still partisan Reduction in voting Less likely to be contested Less competitive Incumbent advantage

21. Combatting Corruption There is no magic bullet Two strong patterns – Clarity of responsibility – Opportunity to impose accountability Associated with less corruption: – Free and competitive elections – Strong press/freedom of information Strong and independent anti-corruption agencies – Modest number of political parties (U-shaped) – Government stability

23. Thanks