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Articles 1 - 8 of 8
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social Movement Unionism And Economic Unionism In Thailand, Napaporn Ativanichayapong
Social Movement Unionism And Economic Unionism In Thailand, Napaporn Ativanichayapong
Asian Review
After the student uprising in 1973, Thai trade unions adopted social unionism. They allied with other forces, especially students, and promoted issues of benefit to other social classes. This phase ended with the coup of 1976. When union activity again became possible in the 1980s, the unions turned to economic unionism. They campaigned on issues of specific worker benefit (wages, social security), but allowed their alliances to decay, and forfeited broad support. In the 1990s, female workers again forged broad social alliances to fight campaigns on issues of specific female interest (maternity leave, occupational health). Because of its weakness, the …
Environmental Social Movements In Thailand: A Critical Assessment, Tim Forsyth
Environmental Social Movements In Thailand: A Critical Assessment, Tim Forsyth
Asian Review
Much popular debate about social movements suggests that they are necessarily positive forces for democratization, and that alliances within social movements can be effective means of representing the interests of marginalized people. This paper critically assesses these statements in relation to social movements associated with opposition to the filming of the The Beach, and the debate concerning community forestry in Thailand. The paper argues that social movements may not be as representative as commonly thought, and that more attention needs to be paid to how social movements construct environmental norms as another means of politics.
Breaking Free Through Oppositional Peasant Politics In The Philippines, Jaime Mendoza Jimenez
Breaking Free Through Oppositional Peasant Politics In The Philippines, Jaime Mendoza Jimenez
Asian Review
KMP is a peasant movement which draws its strength from local struggles. One example began in 1995 in Batangas when a property company seized land for a tourist development, with government backing. Local peasants blocked the development with human barricades. They formed an organization and allied to the national KMP. They were subject to bribery, intimidation, and selective murder. They responded by taking their case to the people at the local, national, and international level through demonstrations and networking. As a result, they were able to retain control of the land. The strength of the movement comes internally from the …
Recent Popular Movements In Thailand In Global Perspective, Pasuk Phongpaichit
Recent Popular Movements In Thailand In Global Perspective, Pasuk Phongpaichit
Asian Review
The last decade has seen an explosion of popular movements in Thailand. Although many share characteristics with "new social movements" (identity issues, networking), they also resemble "old" movements in their class base and political concerns. Because Thailand had no mass nationalist or revolutionary movement, these movements are the first political assertion by the "little people". Many campaigns concern environmental destruction and competition over natural resources. Women have a large role, in contrast to the male domination of formal politics. Many issues are class-based but expressed in ways which facilitate cross-class alliances.
Introduction, Pasuk Phongpaichit
The Politics Of The Ngo Movement In Northeast Thailand, Somchai Phatharathananunt
The Politics Of The Ngo Movement In Northeast Thailand, Somchai Phatharathananunt
Asian Review
This paper examines the struggle of the NGO movement in northeast Thailand (Isan) during the 1980s and 1990s. The paper begins with analysis of the differences between the NGOs in the 1970s and in the post-1970s era. This analysis gives the background to the debate within Isan NGOs between the political economists, who engaged in political mobilization, and the community culturalists, who refrained from any kind of political mobilization. In the 1990s, the differences between the two sides were resolved in the course of struggle.
Ngos Organizing Cooperatives: The Philippine Experience, Teresa S. Encarnacion Tadem
Ngos Organizing Cooperatives: The Philippine Experience, Teresa S. Encarnacion Tadem
Asian Review
Pre-1986 Philippine governments promoted cooperatives as an anticommunist strategy but were unable to make them viable. After the People Power Revolusion of 1986, Left activists promoted cooperatives through NGOs to achieve social justice. Buscayno organized at the grassroots with support from the Aquino Administration. Morales worked at the centre to change the environment for cooperatives by legislation and budget support. The cooperative movement expanded rapidly, but faced huge problems: competition from rice cartels, mismanagement, natural disasters, the temptation for farmers to sell land to real estate developers, and shifts in political patronage. Despite these challenges, the movement continues to grow.