Dr. Kevin Hewison, Professor of Politics and International Studies at Murdoch University, will deliver a public lecture, “Thailand: The Lessons of Protest” on Monday, July 14, 2014, 10AM–12NN at the Seminar Room 206–207, Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman

An expert on Thai politics and co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary Asia, Professor Hewison will draw on recent Thai politics to explore “four lessons that bear on several assumptions associated with the broad literature on democratic transitions.” Below is the abstract of his lecture.

“Since late 2004 and until the military coup in May 2014, Thailand has seen almost unending street protests, ranging from various ginger groups protesting against incumbent governments to months-long and highly aggressive anti-government street protests by red shirts and yellow shirts mobilizing hundreds of thousands. While there are many lessons that may be drawn from this decade of often unruly and uncivil political contestation, this paper concentrates on four “lessons” that bear on several assumptions associated with the broad literature on democratic transitions, including the the political intransigence of a conservative elite, notions of the roles of the middle class and civil society, the capacity of institutions and agencies as checks-and-balances, and the links between high inequality and political rebellion.”

Kevin Hewison, Ph.D. is also Director of the Asia Research Center at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, and the co-author of more than 180 publications on Southeast Asia. Professor Hewison’s lecture is organized by the Asian Center and the Third World Studies Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman. 

Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For inquiries, you may contact Kat or Janus at 981.8500 local 3586 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..