THE STUDENTS’ POLITICAL PARTICIPATION DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEMOCRETIC SYSTEM OF THAI SANGHA BUDHIST UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Objectives of this research were: 1. To study general Political Participation, 2. To study factors affecting Political Participation and 3. To Integrate Buddhist principles in students’ political participation development in democratic system of Thai Sangha Buddhist University. The mixed research methodology was used in the study. The qualitative research collected data from 20 key informants with structured in-depth interview script and the quantitative research collected data from students in the Political Science Department, Public Administration Program from 243 samples. Data were analyzed by content descriptive interpretation. The results of the study were found that: 1. Students participated in political activities. Teaching and learning were integrated with Buddhist principle. Students from many departments participated in political activities, by overall, at the moderate level. 2. Factors affecting the students ‘political participation in democratic system were family institutions (X1), friends and community groups (x3), online media (x4), and educational institutions (x2), could predict the variation of students’ political participation (Y) at 45.6 percent at a statistically significant level of 0.01. 3. Application of the principle of Aparihaniya-dhamma for students’ political participation development in democratic system of Thai Sangha Universities was as follows: Participating in political activities, Discipline, and social responsibility, complying with political rules, raising an exemplary politician, Respecting the rights and freedoms of others according to the rules of political institutions and supporting good politicians.