Suchergebnisse

Since the new government took power in 2011, the citizens of Myanmar have enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than at any time since the military seized power in 1962. This article explains how the recent political changes in Myanmar have come about. In so doing, it argues that the absence of a rigid paramount leader who opposes reconciliation with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the challenges posed by serious economic problems and positive responses from Western countries and pro-democracy leaders in Myanmar have allowed liberals in the government to work together for the further liberalization of the country's political system. However, Myanmar still has a long way to go before it can become a full-fledged democracy. There still are hardliners in both camps who are unsatisfied with the pace of reforms: hardliners in the government think that the pace of reform is too fast while hardliners in the pro-democracy movement feel that they are too slow. Both groups could still generate instability in the country, prompting a military coup. Myanmar is at the crossroads and the cooperation between all sections of society will allow the country to become a full-fledged democracy. (Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)

It is an undeniable fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has played a critical role in the political development of Myanmar since late 1988 and will remain a very important political figure in the near-term future. Accordingly, those who want to understand Myanmar politics will have to understand her personality, her political philosophy and her role in the political life of the country. Biographies written by Barbara Victor and Justin Wintle detail Suu Kyi's life as the offspring of a national hero, a loving wife and a pro-democracy leader. However, the readers of these two books must understand that there are several myths associated with the political deadlock in Myanmar. While the two authors do mention them, they sometimes confuse rumours for facts. The purpose of this review essay is to provide some context absent from these two books, and identify missing links in some of the issues discussed. (J Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)

Since the new government took power in 2011, the citizens of Myanmar have enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than at any time since the military seized power in 1962. This article explains how the recent political changes in Myanmar have come about. In so doing, it argues that the absence of a rigid paramount leader who opposes reconciliation with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the challenges posed by serious economic problems and positive responses from Western countries and pro-democracy leaders in Myanmar have allowed liberals in the government to work together for the further liberalization of the country's political system. However, Myanmar still has a long way to go before it can become a full-fledged democracy. There still are hardliners in both camps who are unsatisfied with the pace of reforms: hardliners in the government think that the pace of reform is too fast while hardliners in the pro-democracy movement feel that they are too slow. Both groups could still generate instability in the country, prompting a military coup. Myanmar is at the crossroads and the cooperation between all sections of society will allow the country to become a full-fledged democracy. Adapted from the source document.

Even the most seasoned observers within Burma could not have predicted the mass mobilization, aided with the use of Internet and new media, of the summer 2007 protest by Burmese monks against the ruling junta. To fully understand the demonstrations and their impact, one must consider the role of monks in Burmese society and politics, the repertoires and forms of their protest, and the prevailing state of political opportunity in Burma. (View). Adapted from the source document.

AbstractThis article explains the ways in which power and factional struggles broke out and ended in post-independence Burma. In so doing, it argues that the key to a proper understanding of the situation resides in a careful examination of the internal power structure of an existing government. On the basis of the historical analysis as explicated in the article, it may be surmised that the existence of a hegemon that is able to mediate between factions while not relying on them in turn for his own influence and authority, yields a good possibility of a stable government. Conversely, the absence of such a hegemon results in an unstable government. Stability, however, being simply a condition, does not naturally predispose a hegemon towards virtuous governance.

It is an undeniable fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has played a critical role in the political development of Myanmar since late 1988 and will remain a very important political figure in the near-term future. Accordingly, those who want to understand Myanmar politics will have to understand her personality, her political philosophy and her role in the political life of the country. Biographies written by Barbara Victor and Justin Wintle detail Suu Kyi's life as the offspring of a national hero, a loving wife and a pro-democracy leader. However, the readers of these two books must understand that there are several myths associated with the political deadlock in Myanmar. While the two authors do mention them, they sometimes confuse rumours for facts. The purpose of this review essay is to provide some context absent from these two books, and identify missing links in some of the issues discussed. Adapted from the source document.