Decoding the Regime Playbook
Insight Myanmar30 Heinä 2024

Decoding the Regime Playbook

Episode #255: Roger Huang dives into the enigmatic nature of Myanmar's political landscape, arguing that the transition period wasn't driven by external pressures like sanctions or international isolation, but by an internal recalibration towards the military realizing its vision of a “disciplined democracy.” This vision is rooted in the failure of the Burmese Way to Socialism of the 1960s-70s, which prompted the military to pivot towards more economic openness combined with tightly controlled democratization that would ensure their continued dominance.

From the 1990s onwards, the military indeed benefited from economic openings despite international sanctions, enriching themselves and cronies through trade with countries like China and Thailand. The 2010s brought genuine, albeit limited, liberalization, which was part of the military's plan, and not a step towards full democratization. The military's grip tightened again as the NLD's electoral success threatened their system.

Civil society, often seen as a democratizing force, was allowed to flourish only within strict limits, providing services where the state did not, but never challenging the military's core interests. The military's resilience, unity, and adaptability have been key to its enduring control. In sum, Huang's analysis presents a stark picture: the junta’s “disciplined democracy” was never meant to transition to true civilian rule, and any significant challenge to this system would always have been met with the swift reassertion of military dominance.

Jaksot(510)

Silent No More

Silent No More

Episode #278: The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS) took place in August 2024, hosted by Chiang Mai University's RCSD. The event gathered scholars, activists, and experts t...

25 Loka 20241h 2min

No Money, Mo’ Problems

No Money, Mo’ Problems

Episode #277: Sean Turnell, an author, economic advisor, and former political prisoner, graced a podcast for the third time to share his insights on Myanmar's deteriorating financial situation. The mi...

22 Loka 20241h 17min

America Decides: How the US Election Could Reshape Burma Policy

America Decides: How the US Election Could Reshape Burma Policy

The stakes for Myanmar are very high in the upcoming US election. Given the two candidates’ different perspectives on international involvement, the transition to a new US administration will directly...

18 Loka 20241h 18min

The Longyi Revolution and Beyond

The Longyi Revolution and Beyond

Episode #275: Nyein Chan May's story is one of unyielding resilience and fierce commitment to justice in the face of overwhelming adversity. Born and raised in Myanmar, she grew up in a society steepe...

15 Loka 20241h 44min

Breaking Ranks

Breaking Ranks

Episode #274: Kyaw San Han, a former police captain turned dissident, offers a stark narrative of courage amid systemic oppression. Fleeing Myanmar with his family, he now lives in Japan, where he con...

8 Loka 20242h 20min

Caught in the Crossfire

Caught in the Crossfire

Episode #273: The 4th International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies (ICBMS), hosted by Chiang Mai University in August 2024, brought together over 800 scholars, activists, and experts to discuss M...

4 Loka 20241h 2min

Hello from the Other Side

Hello from the Other Side

Episode #272: “I didn't want to be in a world where we have to keep watching people struggling for freedom and then getting suppressed and getting their dreams crushed. [In Burma,] it was mostly women...

1 Loka 20241h 56min

Monkey in the Middle

Monkey in the Middle

Episode #271: During the anti-military protests of 1988, the man known as Monkey was just an observer. A friend asked him, “Are you a man? If you are a man, why do you just sit and look?”However, over...

27 Syys 20241h

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
viisupodi
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
aihe
the-ulkopolitist
rss-sanna-ukkola-show-verkkouutiset
rikosmyytit
radio-antro
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-kovin-paikka
rss-terveisia-seelannista
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset