Military involvement in politics and the prospects for democracy: Thailand, the Philippines, and South Korea in comparative perspective

To understand military involvement in politics and the prospects for democracy in Thailand, the Philippines, and South Korea, this study consists of four major parts based on different phases of military involvement: the takeover of political power by the military, maintenance of political power, withdrawal from politics, and transition to democracy.;Regarding the causes of military involvement in politics, this study finds out that both social and military factors were responsible for military coups in Thailand and South Korea. For the Philippines, political environment under Marcos was the major cause of the military intervention in politics.;As common means to maintain political power, military governments in these countries restricted political participation and competition. They also used physical force to suppress the opposition. Military-backed governments in the Philippines and South Korea concentrated on economic performance to extend and justify their political power, while the Thai military emphasized national security and political stability to draw public support.;Various conditions encouraged military withdrawal among the three countries. Growing oppositional strength to military rule was the most important condition for the withdrawal. Policy failure of military governments, military internal division, and foreign pressures were other factors contributing to military withdrawal in these countries.;After the military withdrew from politics, certain conditions encouraged and supported democratization process from authoritarian military rule to a democratic government. These include a high level of socioeconomic development, the role of participant organizations, and leadership.;Considering the democratic progress in these countries during the last decade, the prospects for democracy in each country are relatively good. At the same time, all three countries face the possibility that the highly politicized military can reverse the democratization process instantly, although this is not likely to happen in the near future particularly in Thailand and South Korea.