(File photo by Chanat Katanyu)Almost 25 years ago, when leading liberals and democrats around the region decided to establish the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), there was optimism about the prospects of democratisation in Asia. Yet all is not well with liberal democracy in Asia, and indeed in many parts of the world. The date of Thailand's election remains unclear, and there are increasing concerns about the willingness of the military junta to transfer political power to a civilian government. We believe that liberals and democrats must confront two key factors that have contributed to the decline of liberal democracy. The concentration of wealth and economic power, often accompanied by corrupt political power, has made ordinary people sceptical, if not lose faith, in the democratic process.

Source: Bangkok Post December 09, 2017 21:22 UTC