ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the twin aspects of social welfare and democracy, and the location of the “Thai-style” developmental state in the framework of globalization. First, it situates this particular type of state in relation to exportorientation and social welfare; this is followed by a brief critique of the evolution of the concept of democracy and proposes a definition of (Western-style) democracy first and foremost as an ideology or discourse. “Democratization” it is suggested needs to be applied as an actor’s concept and as a social and political process. Finally, an attempt is made to assess the recent role of labor in making social and political demands on governing elites and the reverse role of these elites’ efforts to secure popular compliance. However, at the same time elites are under a constant double-pressure either to comply or act against external demands regarding universal standards of democracy and social welfare, and the hegemony of neoliberal globalization which limits some policy options and threatens others.
