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| An Analysis on the Strengthening Pro-Establishment in Southeast Asian Countries: Cases of Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand |
| China Institute of International Studies |
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Abstract In recent years, the pro-establishment forces in Southeast Asian countries, particularly like Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, have continued to enhance their strength and cohesion through the smooth intergenerational transition, the flexible division of the anti-establishment forces, and the formulation and implementation of long-term development strategies. They thus have become stronger in the political arena of each country and have maintained a dominant position over the anti-establishment forces. The reasons for this are that the mainstream public opinion in the Southeast Asian countries, preferring stability to change, provides social support for the consolidation of the pro-establishment forces. The continuation of the political tradition, rather than political alternation, greatly enhances the legitimacy of the pro-establishment forces. And, the pro-establishment forces’ own pragmatic strategy, beyond the hard-line strategy, clears the obstacles to the consolidation of their forces. However, it should also be noted that the strengthening of the establishment forces is facing many challenges, including the growing problem of political corruption for eroding the legitimacy of the pro-establishment forces the rapid rise of anti-establishment forces supported by the growth of youth groups in various countries and the weaker-than-expected post-pandemic economic recovery for testing the governing capacity of the pro-establishment forces. Overall, the strengthening of the pro-establishment forces has increased the certainty of domestic and foreign policies, and has helped to promote regional cooperation and strengthen ASEAN’s long-held strategic autonomy.
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