Elderly policy development : an analysis of the punctuated equilibrium theory

Abstract

The research aimed to study the development of Thai elderly people policy before B.E. 2524 to 2561 in the policy paradigm, policy image, policy venue, and the contexts affecting the policy equilibrium. This study is qualitative research, collecting information from documents and in-depth interviews. Data analysis was conducted by interpretation method, with the theory of punctuated equilibrium as a conceptual framework.

The research revealed that the development of the elderly people policy in Thailand was divided in three periods. 1) Starting point: elderly persons assistance was ranged before B.E. 2524. The main paradigm of this period aimed at giving social assistance for the elderly people who could rely on themselves. The policy image was demonstrated as the policy of construction of foster homes, and the policy venue was the prime ministers. 2) The period of social welfare creation was ranged from B.E. 2525 to 2539. The main paradigm was social welfare, and the policy image was presented as the academic welfare policies modelled by Western belief. The policy venue here included politic groups or government, medical civil servants, and civil servants from the Department of Public Welfare, National Elderly People Commission, and Association of National Senior Council 3) The period of protection of elderly people’s was ranged from B.E. 2540 to 2561 The main paradigm was Rights paradigm, and the policy image was presented as the policies to protect the rights of the elderly people, populism policies, pension policy, economic stimulus policy, ageing society policy. The additional policy venues included National Elderly People Commission who were authorized by laws, and Association of National Senior Council, and civil society groups.

Contexts affecting policy equilibrium included 1) the role of international organizations in driving Thailand to conduct activities related to the elderly people, 2) political factors including government leaders, government stability, and democracy that allowed civil society to participate in the policy process, and 3) demographic structure including an increase of older citizens, decrease of birthrate, and changes of family structures.

The paradigm shift of Thai elderly people policy has been characterized adding and replacing: the main paradigm in the old days will become a secondary paradigm in the modern period, since it has been replaced by a new paradigm, and when there is a change in the policy image or policy venue, it will change the equilibrium of the policy faster.