This policy brief provides recommendations for the central government to promote all Wa townships to participate in future elections and calls for: helping residents in ‘Wa State’, covert action and seeking international assistance.
Myanmar has held three general elections since 2010 at the dismantling of the junta. However, in Shan State, most of the Wa population has not engaged due to the unfinished peace process, backwardness, and insufficient identification with the Union of Myanmar.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Recommendations
(I) Helping residents in ‘Wa State’
(II) Covert action
(III) International assistance
Introduction
• Background
• Current Problem
Importance
Recent Positive Signs
Long-term Challenges: Natural Enemy of Multi-party Elections
• The One-party System in ‘Wa State’
• Maoist Militarism
Implications
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This policy brief aims to address the political isolation of the ‘Wa State’ within Myanmar by providing actionable recommendations to the central government for encouraging future electoral participation. The primary objective is to bridge the identification gap between the Wa population and the Union of Myanmar while mitigating the influence of regional powers and local dictatorial structures.
- Strategies for civil integration including ID card issuance and youth educational opportunities.
- Methods for covert political engagement to challenge the existing one-party regime.
- The role of international assistance and NGO involvement in fostering regional stability.
- Analysis of the political and economic landscape, including the influence of the UWSA and China.
- Long-term challenges posed by the one-party model and Maoist militarism.
Excerpt from the Book
Long-term Challenges: Natural Enemy of Multi-party Elections
The United Wa State Party (UWSP) is the only legitimate party and imitates the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s ideology, propaganda, and hierarchical model (Ong, 2018: 464). The lifelong position of Bao Youxiang as the party general secretary was confirmed in 2018 (Wa News Agency, 2018b).
In essence, this system conflicts with the multi-party elections. UWSP will not risk losing power to change the status quo hastily.
The CCP brought Maoism to Wa Hills in the 1950s. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), many Red Guards joined the CPB army as ‘volunteers’, built the first schools and taught local Wa in Chinese, including Maoist beliefs (Steinmüller, 2019: 521, 2020: 129).
This influence continues; it is difficult to achieve fair elections in this atmosphere since Bao can deny any disadvantageous results in elections while he has an army.
Summary of Chapters
Executive Summary: Provides an overview of the Wa population's non-engagement in Myanmar's elections and outlines key recommendations for the central government.
Recommendations: Details specific actions categorized into helping residents, covert operations, and seeking international assistance.
Introduction: Examines the background of the Wa people, their identification with China, and the current problem of voter registration.
Importance: Analyzes why the participation of ‘Wa State’ is critical for peace, democracy, and state-building in the multi-ethnic union.
Recent Positive Signs: Highlights recent diplomatic gestures and economic opportunities that could foster political change.
Long-term Challenges: Natural Enemy of Multi-party Elections: Explores structural barriers to democracy, specifically the one-party system and Maoist militarism.
Implications: Discusses the practical outcomes of issuing ID cards, providing education in Burma Proper, and supporting pro-Naypyidaw political factions.
Conclusion: Summarizes the need for a nuanced strategy that combines economic development, covert political action, and international negotiation.
Keywords
Wa State, Myanmar, Elections, UWSA, UWSP, Maoism, Political Integration, Ethnic Armed Groups, Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee, China, Identity Cards, Democracy, Peace Process, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this policy brief?
The brief focuses on the political alienation of the ‘Wa State’ in Myanmar and offers strategies to integrate this region into the national electoral process.
What are the primary thematic areas addressed?
The main themes include civil identity, youth education, covert political strategies, and the impact of the UWSA on the democratic process.
What is the primary goal of the proposed recommendations?
The primary goal is to encourage all Wa townships to participate in future general elections, thereby strengthening the unity and democratic quality of the Union of Myanmar.
Which scientific or analytical methods are utilized?
The work utilizes policy analysis, geopolitical assessment, and the evaluation of existing electoral data and socio-political literature regarding the Myanmar-China border region.
What content is covered in the main section?
The main body examines the historical and structural barriers to participation, such as the one-party rule of the UWSP and the influence of Maoist military traditions on local governance.
Which keywords best describe this publication?
Keywords include Wa State, Myanmar, UWSA, Democracy, Electoral Participation, and Geopolitics.
How does the UWSP's organizational model hinder democratic elections?
The UWSP mimics the Chinese Communist Party's hierarchical model, which is inherently designed to maintain singular power and resists the competitive nature of multi-party elections.
What role does the 'Wa State's dependency on China play in these challenges?
The economic and cultural orientation of the Wa people toward China, coupled with Chinese supplied weaponry, complicates Myanmar's efforts to exert central authority and introduce democratic change.
Why does the author suggest the issuance of ID cards?
The lack of formal identification prevents residents from registering to vote, serving as a primary administrative hurdle that must be cleared to increase political engagement.
- Quote paper
- Enchen Lan (Author), 2020, Promoting all Wa Townships in Shan State to Participate in Future Myanmar General Elections, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/992005
