Finland, Declaration

Avudh Panananda in The Nation:

Social critic Prawase Wasi recently distributed his statement advocating direct participation by the people as a cure to what he terms as unjust politics although he did not elaborate on tangible measures he envisions on the role of the people.

He coined the term "civil democracy" to depict his political utopia. In 1994 he was appointed by the House to map out a report on political reforms. His mission collapsed and no practical solutions emerged.

For the past two weeks, the People's Alliance for Democracy has boasted about its so-called "new politics", packaging it as a cure for political maladies. In spite of brainstorming sessions, it has yet to outline its model for new politics.

Selected student and labour groups are pushing for progressive ideas like a direct election for prime minister, which surprisingly reflect the thinking of the pro-government camp as expounded in the so-called Finland Declaration.

In 2005 the Thaksin administration was quick to champion political reforms, seen as a ploy to wriggle out of being cornered by the PAD. Its attempt to name its proxy to lead the reform was transparent and failed.

BP: Finland Declaration? The student and labour group suggestion for reform is outlined at Prachatai:

1. Political Reform
1.1 Direct Election of a Prime Minister. Removal of Senators as all politicians must be directly elected.
1.2 Remove obstacles to forming political parties. No need for registration, branches, and number of members.
1.3 Single member constituencies. Allow voting at places of work.

2. Decentralization/distribution of power.
2.1. Allow local people to manage their own affairs.

3. Judicial Reform
3.1 Reduce the power of the courts as they judiciary are not elected. Have a jury system.
3.2 Abolish the death penalty.
3.3 Abolish lese majeste law.

[snip - they also talk about tax reform (removal of VAT and land and implementing of inheritance taxes) and military reform]

BP: Just quickly, I don't agree with the removal of VAT or the implementation of inheritance taxes.

I don't have any problems with (1) or (2) although on 1.1, I understood that they didn't want to go unicameral, but just remove the current bunch of Senators. Isn't 3.3 really a non-starter?

Summary of Finland Declaration/Plan per The Manager (adopted from Wisarut):

1) Strategy for the Masses. Deceive and manipulate the grassroots by giving information to them from village headmen

2) One party system.

3) Capitalism allowing for excessive consumerism and megaprojects. So they have unnecessary items for their daily life, such as luxuries.

4) Monarchy is the symbol of the country [BP: Looking at the Manager's writing on this and PAD messages from the past, this has been stated that it directly means make the monarchy a powerless figurehead and remove Royal Power]

5) Bureaucratic reform and bring independent organizations under the the authority of a single leader.

BP: Take (5) this is stated to be as a way of exercising autocratic power, but in many countries the leader of the country nominates a person and this nominee is then approved by the Senate (think the US). It also amuses me that the coup leaders had the sole power to appoint such independent organisations and not a peep from the PAD. PAD make clear that the purpose of the Finland Declaration, dreamed up by TRT, was to overthrow the monarchy.

Is the student and labour group proposal the same as the Finland Declaration?

btw, there is a Manager article out there, the link to which I have lost now, that says that Prachatai and Fah Diew Gan are places for those reject the monarchy. It also mentioned a few other things in relation to the current talk of political reform. Anyone have the link?