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| 1 |
ID:
193633
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| Summary/Abstract |
Frequently cited in the literature on recent Thai politics, Duncan McCargo’s influential “network monarchy” concept is nonetheless inadequately developed. As such, it has been questioned and challenged by several scholars in recent years. In his 2021 Pacific Affairs article, McCargo rebuts many of these scholars’ arguments and defends his concept. His defence is unpersuasive, however. It falls short of elaborating on the scope, composition, and modus operandi of network monarchy, leaving the shortcomings of his original concept unrectified. Most seriously, McCargo now accentuates the “ambiguous” quality of network monarchy—a quality he did not emphasize originally—in order to accommodate new empirical anomalies and counter his critics. By so doing, he renders his argument unfalsifiable. Drawing on Robert Cribb’s thoughts, this article first spells out why or how the insufficiently developed network monarchy concept has become so widespread in the first place. It then examines the untenable nature of McCargo’s rejoinder to his critics, especially to Eugénie Mérieau.
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| 2 |
ID:
120006
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| Publication |
2013.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Duncan McCargo's influential model of 'network monarchy' enables us to understand how King Bhumibol Adulyadej has mobilized his nationwide patronage network to shape contemporary Thai politics. This model, however, focuses mainly on the conflicts between reform-minded virtuous leaders (represented by Bhumibol) and unprincipled, self-serving politicians, and pays insufficient empirical attention to the porous boundaries between the two. The author makes up for this weakness by unravelling the historical process through which Bhumibol has developed a symbiotic, if ambiguous, relationship with Banharn Silpa-archa, regarded as the epitome of unscrupulous rural-based politicians. The author shows that the two have used each other for their respective political purposes. In an effort to protect and advance his personal and dynastic interests, Bhumibol has found it necessary and expedient to rely on Banharn as a valuable political ally. Banharn, for his part, has relied on the king and his proxies to legitimate and consolidate his authority at the local level. By casting light on this interdependence between the two seemingly contrasting types of leader, the paper contributes to a further elaboration of McCargo's model and, more generally, to a deeper understanding of the complexity of Thailand's patronage politics.
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| 3 |
ID:
149824
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| Summary/Abstract |
The succession to Thailand's long-serving king has once again put the focus on the precarious relationship between the country's political and military elites and the urban and rural poor. Judith Jacob Examines the likely outlook for stability and security.
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