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Accession Number:
AD1026722
Title:
Sidelining Democracy : Explaining the United States Response to Thailand's 2006 and 2014 Coups D'etat
Corporate Author:
Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States
Report Date:
2016-06-01
Abstract:
To explain the United States relatively mild response to Thailands 2006 and 2014 coups dtat, this research analyzed the economic, security, and diplomatic conditions that existed before and after those regime-changing events. Shifts in bilateral relations were assessed using balance of power, alliance, and democratization theories. Thailands most recent adventures with military rule, after nearly 15 years of democracy, affected U.S.-Thai relations but not in ways democratization theory would predict. More specifically, the United States took into consideration Thailands stability and options with China, Russia, and regional partners. Therefore, balance of power theory offered the most convincing explanation in the security realm. The United States appeared to sideline its advocacy for democratization and took measured approaches to judiciously maintain its alliance with Thailand to preserve its strategic hegemonic influence in Southeast Asia. In the long run, a strong U.S.-Thailand relationship will maintain the United States influence in Southeast Asia to counterbalance emerging economic, security, and diplomatic threats.
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report
Pages:
0141
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release;
File Size:
1.65MB
