The Principal Political Culture and Democracy Development of the Rural People in the Northeastern Today

Abstract

This research article aims to analyze the principal political culture of a rural village in the upper Northeast Thailand which includes thought patterns, beliefs, values, and behaviors of the villagers that has been involving the political system and prominently displayed for a long time. The data in this qualitative research is collected from 22 participants in the target group including key informants, village leaders, academics and intellectuals, and politicians through the use of in-depth interviews and non - participation observations. The studies discovered two categories of the
principal political culture in this village. Firstly, a particular set of opinions, beliefs, and values towards the political system involves the belief that politics means elections, exchanges of interests, obedience and surrender to an authority, and beliefs in fortune and karma. Secondly, patterns of political behavior cover apathy towards public interests, greater perception of political information, limited discussions on political matters or public issues, and a culture of avoiding confrontation and conflict in political issues. In this article, the relationship of the occurring phenomenon is elaborated by finding supportive reasons and criticizing hidden conditions underneath.