A Synthesis of Integrated Study Approaches to Southern Local Politics in the Contemporary Context
Keywords:
knowledge synthesis, integrated study approaches, southern local politicAbstract
The dynamic tension between globalization and localism has significantly shaped the evolving paradigm of social science education. This study aims to synthesize integrated approaches to understanding local political phenomena in southern Thailand, focusing on the provinces of Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the researchers analyzed a wide range of master’s theses in political science and public administration produced between 2018 and 2022, complemented by in-depth interviews with purposively selected key informants. Data were analyzed thematically to identify core patterns and insights. The findings reveal that research on southern local politics predominantly reflects conceptual frameworks rooted in local administration, thereby reinforcing an epistemological orientation more aligned with public administration than traditional political science. Although many studies adopt a behavioralist perspective, the study recommends a shift toward mixed-methods research to transcend conventional disciplinary boundaries and better integrate with broader social science frameworks. It also calls on academic institutions to revise their educational strategies to promote research that innovates in local governance and addresses community needs. Finally, the study highlights the need to develop a knowledge management system for local politics based on the concept of "glocalization," tailored to the specific contextual challenges of the university’s geographic and societal setting.
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