The Role of Decentralization in Strengthening Civil Politics: The Study of Ubonratchatani’s Subdistrict Administrative Organizations during 2011 to 2012

Abstract

The study aims to measure and evaluate the strength of civil politics as a result of decentralization policy in five subdistricts of Ubonratchatani province, during 2011 - 2012. This research bases on qualitative data (i.e. documents, field trips, participatory observation, and survey). Also, collecting quantitative data has been applied for supplementing the qualitative analysis. It has been found that, in conceptually, the decentralization policy increases local people's consciousness and understanding. However, while we consider the process of decentralization, the policy implementations in those five local areas do not lead to strengthen civil politics. The result have been evaluated from the research indicators which are (1) the support for monitoring local or national politicians (2) the ability of the community to access to complete information, and (3) the enthusiastic support in participation in community and local activities. Therefore, it is recommended that local administrations need to adjust their paradigms seriously to enhance the process of developing people's participation in local areas