State and military power have been formally fused in Myanmar since the military coup of 1962. Colonial and pre-colonial experiences prior to this had ensured the creation of a national narrative that emphasised unity and the survival of the regime above all else. This led to the slow infiltration of military rule in the years following independence in 1948 and ultimately to the decades of authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement, exacerbated by economic sanctions. As the rest of the region began its post-colonial transition towards democracy and prosperity, brutal military crackdowns and reprisals following populist uprisings in 1988 and 2007 seemed only to confirm Myanmar’s resilience. Following the suppression of the 2007 uprising, it appeared that the hold of the military junta was absolute.
The announcement in 2008 by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of wide-ranging reforms as part of the ‘roadmap to democracy’ thus represented the greatest hope of democratic reform for half a century. Following the enactment of constitutional reforms and trumpeted elections in 2010, the state now represents an ostensibly democratic, constitutional system. Throughout early 2011 the newly formed ‘civilian’ government released over 700 political prisoners, oversaw a relaxation of media censorship and legalised the right to unionisation in conjunction with a re-emergence of opposition politics.
This essay examines how the cross over between the issues of 'ethnicity' in Myanmar and the perceived role of the military among the military establishment as the sole protectors of the unity of the Union of Myanmar act to create political stagnation in the country. By conducting the political process on their terms, the military is ensuring that opposition politics is robbed of the political space with which to address the ethnic nationalities head on. The NLD is now the only group that has the cultural and political capacity to do this. In its continuous failure to do so it may yet plunge Myanmar into a period of political instability once again.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Contextualising Myanmar
- A 'Burmese Spring': The New Light of Myanmar?
- Establishing the military-ethnic dynamic
- Problems of research methodology
- Myanmar & Democracy: a conceptual approach…
- Democracy and democratic consolidation
- Civil-military relations
- Endogenous and exogenous factors in military withdrawal
- Historical factors and the establishment of military culture
- The Military in Myanmar's politics: from independence to the present day
- The 'reserved domain': establishing the Tatmadaw tradition
- From direct rule to \"disciplined democracy\": the guiding hand of the Tatmadaw in contemporary Myanmar
- Summary. 'Jobs for the boys': how ethnic conflict perpetuates the military's role in politics...
Objectives and Key Themes
This work explores the complex relationship between ethnicity, the military, and democratisation in Myanmar. It examines the historical and contemporary role of the military in Burmese politics, particularly in the context of ethnic conflict. The analysis aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities for democratic consolidation in Myanmar, considering the enduring influence of the military and the diverse ethnic groups that comprise the country.
- The historical and contemporary role of the military in Myanmar's politics
- The impact of ethnic conflict on democratisation processes
- The challenges and opportunities for civilian control and democratic consolidation
- The interplay of cultural, religious, and historical factors shaping political developments
- The enduring influence of the military in Myanmar's political landscape
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: This chapter sets the context for the study by providing an overview of Myanmar's historical and contemporary significance in the region. It explores the legacy of the military's dominant role in shaping Burmese politics and the ongoing challenges to achieving lasting peace and democratic governance. The chapter also discusses the complexities of research methodology in relation to the sensitive and politically charged nature of the subject.
- Myanmar & Democracy: a conceptual approach: This chapter examines the concepts of democracy and democratic consolidation in the context of Myanmar. It analyzes the historical development of civil-military relations, exploring the factors that contribute to military withdrawal from politics and the establishment of a democratic system. The chapter further delves into the specific historical factors that shaped Myanmar's military culture.
- The Military in Myanmar's politics: from independence to the present day: This chapter traces the evolution of the military's role in Myanmar's politics from independence to the present day. It explores the concept of the 'reserved domain,' which refers to the military's self-assigned role in protecting national security and maintaining stability. The chapter further examines the transition from direct military rule to a more 'disciplined democracy' under the Tatmadaw's continued influence.
- Summary. 'Jobs for the boys': how ethnic conflict perpetuates the military's role in politics: This chapter explores the ways in which ethnic conflict perpetuates the military's role in politics. It discusses the various ethnic groups in Myanmar and the complex history of conflict and mistrust. The chapter argues that the military's involvement in ethnic conflicts often reinforces its political power and hinders the process of democratic consolidation.
Keywords
The main keywords and focus topics of this text are ethnicity, military, democratisation, Myanmar, civil-military relations, ethnic conflict, democratic consolidation, political transition, cultural factors, historical factors, Tatmadaw, and the 'reserved domain'. These terms encapsulate the primary themes and concepts explored in the work, examining the complex interplay between the military, ethnicity, and the pursuit of democratic governance in Myanmar.
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- Findley Penn-Hughes (Autor:in), 2013, A Fool's Paradise? Ethnicity, Military and Prospects for Democratisation in Myanmar, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/280409
