BUDDHIST POLITICAL ATTITUDES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS OF VOTERS IN NAKHON RATCHSIMA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to 1) study the level of political attitudes in local elections among voters in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, 2) compare political attitudes in local elections among voters in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, and 3) analyze the political attitudes under Buddhist principles in local elections of voters in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality. The research employed a combined method. Quantitative research used a questionnaire to collect data. The sample group was 386 people with the right to vote in the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality area. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The hypotheses were tested using t-test and F-test values. Qualitative research used in-depth interviews with nine key informants/persons. Data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

The research results found that:

1. Overall, the political attitude level of voters in local elections in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality was high. The aspect with the highest average was political decision-making, followed by election operations. The aspect with the lowest average was participation in the election campaign.


2. People with different genders, ages, education levels, occupations, and monthly incomes had distinct political attitudes in local elections among voters in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality, with a significant difference at the .05 level.


3. Political attitudes under the Buddhist principles of voters in local elections in Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality following the principles of Sappurisadhamma 7 were as follows: being one who knows causes, effects, self-aware, limits when doing things, proper time, society, and how to choose the proper persons.