Thailand's Search for Accountability

RAMPANT CORRUPTION, TYPICALLY ACCOMPANIED BY INCOMPETENT AND ARROGRANT GOVERNANCE, DISILLUSIONS ORDINARY CITIZENS AND ALIENATES THEM FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS. THE CHALLENGE IS TO REDUCE IT TO LEVELS THAT DO NOT THREATEN THE ENTIRE POLITICAL SYSTEM. UNLESS CORRUPTION CAN BE CONTROLLED AT LEAST TO THIS DEGREE, IT MAY SERIOUSLY ENDANGER GLOBAL PROGRESS TOWARD DEMOCRACY. THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A CASE STUDY OF THAILAND PORTRAYS THE DAMAGE THAT CORRUPTION DOES TO DEMOCRATIC DEVELPMENT. IT IDENTIFIES WAYS TO COMBAT IT THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEGAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE MOBILIZATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY.