SocDem Asia Podcast

On this last episode for 2021, we talk with Leena Rikkilä Tamang, Director for the Asia-Pacific of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on the current state of Asian democracies and some key observations from the Global State of Democracy Report. We also discuss countries in the region that are able to strengthen democratic institutions and  promote greater citizen’s participation and try to answer the question:  Is there a place for regional or international cooperation in promoting  democratization?

Visit International IDEA and learn more about their work: www.idea.int

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Music: https://www.bensound.com

We will hear from lawyer and transitional  justice advocate Ruben Carranza discuss the functions, scope of the  International Criminal Court or ICC. We will talk about the challenges  that victims and survivors face in relation to availing of the processes  for seeking justice in the ICC as well as the limitations the court  faces in exacting accountability. We will also discuss the various  criticisms of the ICC itself and how the quest transitional justice goes  beyond the framework of the court.

To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia

Music: https://www.bensound.com

After almost two years of a COVID pandemic, Japanese voters headed to the polls to vote for the government post-Shinzo Abe. As expected, the center-right Liberal Democratic Party or LDP once again dominated the polls with Fumio Kishida as the new Prime Minister. Despite the LDP’s electoral victory,  opposition parties maintained a sizable number with the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) as the second largest party. Interestingly, the rightwing populist Japan Innovation Party also won additional seats.

To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia

Music: https://www.bensound.com

We are joined by Dr. Sustarum Thammabosadee, Assistant Associate Professor in International Relations, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Thammasat University. He is also the Director of the University's Welfare State and Justice Studies. We discuss Thailand's turbulent political history and social democracy's role in shaping democratic institutions in the country from the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in the 30s to the current fight to end the military's control over politics and the reform the monarchy. We also talk about the political and military elite's role in suppressing leftwing ideas and how such opposition from powerful forces affects current moves by social democrats especially those belonging to parties such as the Move Forward Party.

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To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia

Music: https://www.bensound.com

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York, Afghanistan sees the Taliban now back in power. We are joined by Richard Heydarian, a geopolitical analyst, academic, columnist and author, to  take a look back at the legacy of America's War on Terror and how the policies set by the United States and its allies continues to affect us today.

We also discuss how the world, especially Asia Pacific has been shaped and is to be shaped by the legacy of the War on Terror. 

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To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com  

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia 

Music: https://www.bensound.com

We talk with Dr. Minendra Rijal, a former Minister of Communication and member of the Central Working Committee of the Nepali Congress (NC) to talk about the legacy of B.P. Koirala and how he was also inspired by Koirala's principles.

B.P. Koirala who led the NC, served as the country's first democratically elected Prime Minister after leading the movement to end the authoritarian rule of the Rana regime. His name and memory continues to inspire Nepalis to continue his struggle for social democracy in the country.

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To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com  

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia 

Music: https://www.bensound.com

We have a talk with Teo Nie Ching, Former Deputy Minister of Education, Member of Parliament and the International Secretary of the Democratic Action Party of Malaysia. We discuss the background leading up to the collapse of the government of former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the appointment of his successor, Ismail Sabri Yakob. We talk about the dynamics within the ruling coalition and the Pakatan Harapan as well as the political crisis in the context of an economic crisis and health crisis due to the COVID pandemic.

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To know more about SocDem Asia, you can visit our website: https://socdemasia.com  

Like and follow us at facebook.com/SocDemAsia 

Music: https://www.bensound.com

We have a talk with Sabina Dewan, Executive Director of Just Jobs Network about the Fourth Industrial Revolution or also known as "Industry 4.0" about what that means for societies, economies and workers in Asia. We also talk about the impacts of advancement in technologies on our education system, governments, workers' rights, and also on issues of privacy.