March 31, 2005
A left wing Thai party? Finally?
‘Peace’ party set up
<> Published on Mar 24, 2005
The Nation
A new political party is being formed to promote peace, equality and social justice.
The People’s Front Party has about 50 founding members that comprise workers from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), labour leaders, villagers and academics, activist Giles Ungphakorn said yesterday.
The decision to form the party was made on Saturday, following a meeting of civic representatives in Bangkok.
The party’s charter is being drafted under the guidelines that all members are equal and all members can be held accountable by impeachment, Giles said.
The party is expected to solicit financial contributions from members and NGOs and will not rely on capitalist support, he said.
He outlined tentative party policies that oppose trade liberalisation, free-trade agreements and privatisation.
Other party platforms include the cancellation of value-added tax, a non-violent approach to solving southern unrest, a progressive-tax levy aimed at ensuring economic parity, and the promotion of the labour movement.
I can't say that I agree to every policy brought up here - especially not the bit about policies that oppose free-trade agreements... I think opposing free-trade agreements is opposing the developing of a country's economy. Larger economies have, throughout history, swallowed up smaller economies - and each nation (by nation I do not mean country, necessarily, but a unified group of people) has had to go through a painful process. In the end, however, the benefits of being able to trade freely with one's neighbours far outweighs the costs. What, I find, people need to do is not to oppose the idea of a free-trade agreement in itself, but rather, more attention needs to be focused on the complications that do arise. Safeguards need to be implemented so that larger economies aren't taking unfair advantage. However, stopping free trade is not a solution. At best, it is a short-term and short-sighted "quick-fix"
That said, what I think of "capitalist funding" is much the same. I believe in a network provided by society. A capitalist system may support the enterprising egotistic businessman, but does it allow him to ever stumble? Why did I say he is egotistic? He doesn't believe he can fall. Last time I spoke to a self-proclaimed capitalist, a couple days ago, he said, "I have to think to the future. I need to look after my parents. I need to look after my children, my grandchildren. So, I must admit, I've got to be a capitalist"
The short-sightedness simply astounds me. Yes. You may get rich in the next ten years. You may even make enough money in this lifetime to ensure the prosperity of the next few generations. But you might not. What can better ensure the safety of all your future generations than to support a system that provides down the line regardless of whether or not your family has succeeded in hoarding all your hard-earned wealth? Why not live in the comfort of knowing that you can be sure your great-grandchildren will receive a publicly-funded education and not rely on your trust-fund?
As a nation, people can think in the future-tense. As a nation, people can plan for the future. As an individual, you fall alone.
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Just an interesting quote:
"Thaksin is only beginning to discover that the weaker the opposition gets, the more rebellious the factions within the ruling party will become."
-Sutichai Yoon, The Nation
There's somewhere around 20 political parties in Thailand now...
and poor Mr. Thaksin is now going to have to deal with his own party building opposition, as if this half-formed socialist party were not to deal with already.
On the one side, a contempt for capitalism. On the other, a lust for power. Both contending for HIS position.
fon @ Thursday, March 31, 2005 link to post * *