The future forward party: a case study of populism in digital era with comparative perspectives from the Five Star Movement

This research investigates the populist elements within the Future Forward Party (FFP) of Thailand by examining its rise amidst the political, economic, and social milieu post the 2014 coup, leading up to the 2019 general election year. The study delves into the FFP’s political discourses and proposed policies, analyzing their resonance with populist attributes and assessing how they optimized to the demands of a society yearning for change. Moreover, the research extends into a comparative analysis between the FFP and Italy’s Five Star Movement (FSM), offering a broader perspective on populism’s digital manifestations. It investigates how both parties harness digital platforms to engage with supporters, emphasizing the role of technology in modern political movements. This comparison sheds light on each party’s distinct approach to utilizing digital tools for political communication, mobilization, and policy-making, reflecting their respective political contexts and ambitions.The research has shown that the FFP responded to Thailand’s political, economic, and social dynamics from 2014 to 2019, portraying the FFP as a leader of change driven by a desire for democratic reforms, socio-economic equity, and inclusivity, particularly resonating with Thailand’s youth and the people who were not satisfied with the existing structure. The study explores the FFP’s populist orientation, highlighting its rhetoric against elite dominance and its commitment to direct democracy and public engagement, positioning it within the populist spectrum while maintaining a liberal democratic core. Additionally, a comparative analysis with the FSM delves into the use of digital platforms in political processes, contrasting the FFP’s focus on transparency and incremental reform with the FSM’s more radical direct democracy approach. This juxtaposition underscores the potential of digital tools in reshaping political engagement, offering insights into the evolving landscape of political participation and the significance of digital strategies in enhancing democratic governance and citizen involvement.

本研究旨在探析泰国未来前进党（Future Forward Party, FFP）所蕴含的民粹主义元素，以2014年军事政变后至2019年大选年间的政治、经济与社会语境为背景，考察该党的崛起轨迹。本研究深入剖析该党的政治话语与施政纲领，分析其与民粹主义特质的契合度，并评估其如何适配渴求变革的泰国社会之诉求。此外，本研究还开展了泰国未来前进党与意大利五星运动（Five Star Movement, FSM）的比较分析，为探析民粹主义的数字化表现形式提供了更广阔的研究视角。研究考察了两党如何利用数字平台与支持者互动，凸显技术在当代政治运动中的核心作用。该比较分析阐明了两党在利用数字工具开展政治传播、动员民众与制定政策方面的差异化路径，映射出二者各自的政治语境与执政抱负。
研究结果表明，2014至2019年间，未来前进党精准回应了泰国的政治、经济与社会动态，将自身塑造为以民主改革、社会经济公平与包容性为核心诉求的变革引领者，尤其获得了泰国青年群体与现有体制不满者的广泛认同。本研究探析了未来前进党的民粹主义倾向，凸显其反对精英主导的政治话语，以及对直接民主与公众参与的承诺，将其置于民粹主义光谱之中的同时，保留了其自由民主的核心底色。此外，与意大利五星运动的比较分析还深入考察了数字平台在政治进程中的应用，对比了未来前进党侧重透明化与渐进式改革的路径，与五星运动更为激进的直接民主模式。这种对比凸显了数字工具重塑政治参与模式的潜力，为理解政治参与的演进格局，以及数字化策略在完善民主治理与提升公民参与度方面的重要意义提供了参考视角。