On an international level, Thailand succeeded despite great odds in its fight to remain independent as many neighboring countries gave way to Western colonization; yet on a national level, Thailand suffered in its attempts to secure progress, prosperity, and national security. These essays, by five leading social scientists who were active participants in the Thailand's recent political events, examine the causes of this unusual disparity, providing an indispensable refence tool for those seeking to understand major aspects of Thailand's political life.