‘Authoritarian civil society’: How anti-democracy activism shapes Thailand’s autocracy

ABSTRACT

In this article, the author argues that civil society can actively foster anti-democratic agendas that propel young democracies on an autocratic path. Therefore, civil society is not idly coopted by regimes as existing studies generally suggest. The author’s analysis is drawn on Thailand as an extreme case whose historical roots of authoritarianism, consolidated anti-system elites, protracted polarisation, and extensive repression configure the unique development of authoritarian civil society (ACS). The author demonstrates the components and repertoires of ACS that have induced democratic collapse and subsequently autocratic surge in Thailand. First, anti-election networks’ mass mobilisation set the scene for anti-system elites, including the Constitutional Court and the military, to oust democratically elected governments. Second, vigilante groups’ digital surveillance and legal harassment have instilled self-censorship that shrinks civic spaces for democratic dialogue, while reinforcing the uneven electoral playing field favourable to the autocratic regime. Lastly, rightwing media that frames pro-democracy civic groups as foreign agents helps boost the regime’s justification for restricting the international support for these groups. The author anticipates this article to be an entry point for future comparative research on the conditions and tactics of ACS in other autocratic settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Authoritarian civil society
• autocratisation
• third-wave democracy
• Thailand

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Notably, anti-establishment dissidents founded a counter group, called ‘Anti-Social Sanction,’ using similar tactics of online bullying to get back at the SS members.

2 It should be noted that Facebook has recently taken down the page of New Eastern Outlook due to allegations of spreading disinformation. New Eastern Outlook is also accused of linkage with the Russian government.