Elites usually decided what kind of government was set up. When the masses mobilised, they could topple governments, but elites often decided what came next.
Political elites included traditional rulers, Western-educated nationalists, landowning families and military officers. They led the parties and armies that took power at independence.
Elites often shaped government to protect their power. In the Philippines, a few landowning families dominated politics and handed out jobs and favours to win votes. In Thailand, military officers took power in repeated coups.
Leaders sometimes moved from democracy to authoritarian rule. In 1959 Sukarno replaced parliamentary democracy with "Guided Democracy". He argued that Western-style democracy did not suit Indonesia. In 1972 Marcos declared martial law to stay in power beyond his second term.
The masses could change governments. In October 1973 student-led protests in Thailand drove out the military rulers. In February 1986 "People Power" protests in Manila forced Marcos out. In 1998 student protests helped end Suharto's rule.
Mass movements did not always succeed. In 1988 the army crushed a nationwide uprising in Burma, and in 1990 it ignored an election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party.
- Guided Democracy
- Sukarno, from 1959.
- Martial law
- Marcos, 1972.
- People Power
- February 1986.
- Burma 1988
- Uprising crushed.
Worked example: Weighing elites against masses
Who shaped forms of government more?
- Elites: designed constitutions and seized power.
- Masses: toppled rulers in 1973, 1986 and 1998.
- Military: decided whether protests succeeded.
- Judgement: elites shaped most outcomes; the masses forced key changes.
Watch out for this
Mass protests always brought democracy.
In Burma in 1988 the army crushed the uprising, and in Thailand the military returned in 1976 after the democratic period of 1973-1976.
Check your understanding
What happened in the Philippines in February 1986?
- "People Power" protests forced Marcos out of power.
- Marcos declared martial law.
- The USA took control of the government.