Answer :
Answer:
Select a country (not discussed in the chapter) and analyze its democratic system. Address the following
points
2. Key democratic institutions and processes
Based on the search results provided, I will analyze the democratic system of Thailand, a country not discussed in the chapter.
Thailand has made significant progress in its democratic development in recent years. According to the Democracy Index, Thailand jumped 17 places in 2022 to rank 55th globally, marking the biggest overall improvement that year.[2] This progress can be attributed to several key factors:
Key Democratic Institutions and Processes:
- Thailand has a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government.[3] The country has a bicameral parliament, consisting of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate.
- Elections in Thailand are multi-party, with citizens having the right to choose the chief executive and the legislature through free and fair elections.[1][2] However, there have been concerns about electoral irregularities and restrictions on political freedoms in the past.
- Thailand has an independent judiciary, with the courts playing a role in constraining the power of the executive branch.[2] The country also has a vibrant civil society and media landscape, though there have been some restrictions on freedom of expression.
Challenges and Improvements:
- Thailand has a history of military coups and political instability, with the military playing a significant role in the country's politics. However, the recent period has seen a reduction in the military's direct involvement in governance.[2]
- The country has also seen an increase in political diversity, with a wider range of political parties and perspectives represented in the political system.[2] This has helped to address previous concerns about the dominance of a single political faction.
- Thailand's progress in democratic development has also been attributed to an abatement of the Malay-Muslim secessionist conflict in the country's southern region, which had previously been a source of political tension.[2]
Overall, Thailand's democratic system, while still facing some challenges, has shown signs of improvement in recent years, with the country moving towards a more stable and inclusive political environment.