El budismo y su papel en la legitimidad de los sistemas políticos y en sus procesos de cambio: Los casos de Bután y Tailandia

Abstract

Although political theory has always been interested in the role of religion in politics, few scholars have dealt, specifically, with the role and influence of Buddhism on the political systems, even though it is one of the most followed religions in the world. From the West, we see Buddhism as a peaceful and apolitical religion. However, the study of this faith in Bhutan and Thailand shows us how some of its precepts could be an obstacle to democratization in these two monarchies immersed in processes of political change. Through the design of a research plan based on dimensions, variables and indicators, and taking into account qualitative and quantitative data, this work tries to analyze, from an innovative perspective, the pressure of the Buddhist religion in the processes of change and legitimation of the political power.