Bangkok: Political scientists point out that the government's review of welfare card criteria reflects modern leadership and a willingness to listen to the people.
According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Dr. Chetha Sap-yen, a political scientist from Navamintrathirat Open University, views the government's decision to review the criteria for revoking state welfare benefits in cases where children use their parents' names for tax deductions as an important example of modern governance that prioritizes listening to public opinion and reflects leadership willingness to adapt policies based on societal realities.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chetha stated that in politics, it's often understood that standing firm in one's position is a sign of strength, while changing one's stance is seen as a sign of weakness. However, in reality, modern leadership emphasizes the ability to listen, adapt, and learn from societal feedback more.
In this case, the government initially justified establishing these criteria as a tool to screen eligible recipients of state welfare benefits and manage the budget to reach truly economically vulnerable target groups. However, after the details were made public, widespread criticism arose. Many people felt that the criteria could negatively impact family relationships and did not reflect the reality of Thai society, where a significant number of children still help and care for their parents even if they themselves are not financially stable.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chetha emphasized that the key issue is not just whether the government abolishes or amends the criteria, but rather the decision to listen to public opinion and be willing to review those concerns in relation to policy. He explained that, academically, there's the concept of resilience, or the ability to adapt and recover from pressure, which is considered a crucial characteristic of modern public administration.
"A flexible government doesn't mean a government that never makes mistakes, but rather a government that is ready to learn and correct its mistakes quickly," Asst. Prof. Dr. Chetha stated. Furthermore, this incident reflects the concept of empathy, which is becoming a crucial characteristic of leaders in the 21st century. Formulating sound public policy cannot rely solely on statistical data, academic principles, or budgetary calculations, but must also take into account the feelings, relationships, and living context of the people.
Political scientists from Navamintrathirat Open University also believe that soliciting public opinion is not a surrender to political pressure, but rather an acknowledgment that the people are the owners of the country. Furthermore, real-life experiences of the people are crucial information that the government must consider in making decisions, just as much as academic data.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chetha stated that this incident also reflects the concept of People-Centric Governance, a significant trend in public administration in many countries worldwide. Designing public policies today must begin with considering how citizens will be affected, rather than focusing solely on the ease of bureaucratic management.
Therefore, the government's decision to review these criteria may not only be a temporary solution but also a significant signal demonstrating its readiness to open up space for greater public participation and a greater role in the public policy-making process. "In politics, taking a step back may not be a defeat, but rather a step forward with greater stability. Because the strongest leaders are not those who never change their minds, but those who dare to listen to the people and are ready to adapt when they find a better option."
He emphasized that listening to the people is not an obstacle to governing the country, but rather a crucial condition for democratic governance. This is because the success of a policy is not measured solely by whether it is implemented as the government intends, but also by the acceptance of the people directly affected by that policy.