Description
Book SynopsisFighting for Virtue investigates how Thailand's judges were tasked by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in 2006 with helping to solve the country's intractable political problems—and what happened next. Across the last decade of Rama IX's rule, Duncan McCargo examines the world of Thai judges: how they were recruited, trained, and...
Trade ReviewThis is an original, heavily researched, fascinating, highly readable, and ultimately frightening book.
* Bangkok Post *
Fighting for Virtue makes an original contribution to critical debates about the rule of law in Southeast Asia. It will be an essential point of reference for anyone interested in understanding the morbid politics of the final decade of King Bhumibol's reign. For both these reasons, it deserves to be read widely.
* Contemporary Southeast Asia *
Duncan McCargo has tackled yet another fascinating aspect of Thailand's politics in Fighting for Virtue. McCargo treats the reader to an abundance of details, thoughtful analysis, and savvy observation. Overall, this book is an important contribution that will be cited for years to come.
* Pacific Affairs *
Fighting for Virtue is a compelling text that portrays the dynamics of a complicated judiciary, a central player in the fractious political landscape of contemporary Thailand. It is highly recommended to readers of political anthropology, legal studies, history, political science and Southeast Asian studies.
* The London School of Economics and Political Science *
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction: Legalism and Revival of Treason
1. Privileged Caste?
2. Bench and Throne
3. Challenges to the Judiciary
4. Against the Crown?
5. Computer Compassings
6. Against the State
7. Crimes of Thaksin
8. Courting Constitutionalism
Conclusion: The Trouble Is Politics
Notes
Index
