Graduate Review of Political Science and Public Administration Journal

Book Review เกมพลิกโลก: ยุทธศาสตร์เปลี่ยนขั้วอำนาจจากอเมริกาสู่จีน เขียนโดย รัช โดชิ (Rush Doshi)

Naphakhawat Wanchai — 2025-06-27

Animal Farm (1954) and the Failure of the Revolution

Karoonsin Chansiri — 2025-06-27

Animal Farm (1954) is a British-American animated film, adapted from George Orwell's novel of the same name. The summary of the film is about farm animals, revolting and driving out the cruel farm owner, then creating a new society where all animals are equal, free, and happy before being transformed into a totalitarian state led by the pig named Napoleon, who made the farm’s conditions just as bad as or perhaps even worse than those before the revolution. The purpose of this review article was to analyze the film, based on Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories, to find out why the revolution did not contribute to change for the better. The results of the analysis revealed that from the reasons within the film, the revolution failed to bring changes because of the undemocratic governance, propaganda, and a lack of attention from civil society in political participation. It therefore facilitated the tie of power to the leader and caused the revolution not to bring about the change as it should be.

Has the Balance Tipped? The Thai Military and its Security Perceptions in an Era of Asia-Pacific Great Power Competition

Joseph Deavenport — 2025-06-27

Since 2017, the most significant change in Asia-Pacific regional affairs has been the rise of Great Power competition between the United States and China. This paper examines how the external securitization of the region, coupled with Thailand’s shifting internal dynamics, affected the security perceptions of military leaders within the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Using a comprehensive approach that includes documentary research, surveys of Thai military officers, and interviews, this research focuses on the Royal Thai Armed Forces as a perception forming entity and explores how external and internal security developments have influenced the Thai military's perceptions. This research presents three key findings. First, Thai military leaders perceive Great Power states as much less threatening to Thai security than they did just a few years ago. Second, the Thai military continues to prioritize domestic security issues, reflecting a persistent focus on internal stability and national sovereignty over external threats. Third, the lack of cross-border conflicts in Southeast Asia during this period contributed to a decreased threat perception toward neighboring states, underscoring a preference for stability and non-alignment in the face of Great Power rivalry. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of Thai security perceptions in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. It highlights the complexities faced by Thailand as it navigates its strategic position between two great powers, seeking to balance relationships while maintaining its national security and autonomy. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and scholars interested in Southeast Asian security dynamics and the broader implications of Sino-American competition in the Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN Cybersecurity Securitization: Regime of Cooperation and Enmity

Pavarate Phaesaengchan — 2025-06-27

This research aims to examine the key actors involved in the construction of the cybersecurity regime in the ASEAN region, as well as to study the factors and origins that drive the enforcement and maintenance of this regime. The study employs qualitative research through documentary analysis. The findings reveal that the main factors contributing to the construction of the ASEAN cybersecurity regime include securitizing actors such as ASEAN member states, international organizations, and civil society organizations. These actors play a crucial role in defining what constitutes a threat to regional security, influencing security discourse, and shaping ASEAN’s approach to addressing cybersecurity issues. Another key factor is the shared awareness of mutual threats, specifically, cyber threats which are transnational in nature, constantly evolving, and have significant impacts on both the economic and social dimensions of ASEAN. These threats also have cascading effects on other aspects of regional security, necessitating the development of various forms of cooperation within ASEAN and leading to the formation of the ASEAN cybersecurity regime. However, the ASEAN cybersecurity regime is not solely characterized by cooperation; it also embodies elements of cybersecurity enmity. This enmity arises from several factors, including the difference in interpretation, developmental disparities, political conflicts, and the involvement of external superpowers. The study suggests that ASEAN must develop a common approach to adapt in order to preserve regional security and stability, thus enabling its cybersecurity regime to grow in a stable, resilient, and sustainable manner. Future research can expand on this work by conducting in-depth studies of securitizing actors at the national level or by analyzing how external superpowers exert influence and play roles within the ASEAN’s cybersecurity landscape.

Assisting Flood Victims Through Budget Allocation Under Emergency Measures, Central Budget Items for Contingency Reserves, and Advance Funds to Aid Disaster Victims in Emergency Cases

Kanittanun Supsaringkra — 2025-06-27

This academic article employs a systematic literature review method to study approaches to assist flood victims using two types of central budget funds. These are: 1) emergency and necessary advance payment items approved by a Cabinet resolution, and 2) ad hoc appropriations for assisting disaster victims in emergencies. These financial instruments are used in emergency circumstances under the relevant legal framework in Thailand and are examined through case studies of flood situations. The article compares the issues, obstacles, and efficiency of fund disbursement for both types, leading to an analysis that proposes solutions for operational problems and strategies to reduce the financial burden of using central budget funds in emergencies. The study’s findings indicate that the central government should improve the assistance process to minimize delays and prevent corruption, establish clear and transparent criteria so that the public can verify eligibility for aid via a centralized application or website, and adopt the PromptPay system for disbursements related to ad hoc appropriations instead of traditional methods.Regarding long-term strategies to reduce the financial burden of using central budget funds in emergencies, the study found that collecting earmarked taxes for disaster prevention and mitigation, developing and promoting an insurance system, urgently decentralizing fiscal authority to local administrative organizations, creating sustainable infrastructure to prevent floods, and implementing community-based disaster risk management are key factors in reducing the country’s emergency budget burden and ensuring sustainable disaster prevention and mitigation.