Cart before the horse
Re: "PM stresses need for elected government but rejects populism", Politics, September 21.
General Prayut puts the cart before the horse in saying: “A democratic society needs an elected government and good governance.” In reality the country needs a system with good governance first.
The democracy will need to be fudged to ensure that elected governments stick to the rules. The new constitution might take care of that but it might not be wise to assume that a plebiscite will accept it. If it is achieved by some reconciliation deal it will be too heavy a price to pay.
Whether corruption is a bribe of government or extortion by government is a moot point but the government side should be prosecuted first for failing to safeguard public funds. This will stop petty officials/junior ministers taking the rap and putting the minister and the cabinet on the defence.
As for populist agendas Somkid is on the right track in setting these in motion now to undermine a future wannabe demagogue.
Richard Bowler
