Decoding the Regime Playbook
Insight Myanmar30 Jul 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.

Episoder(508)

You Down with NUG?

You Down with NUG?

Episode #142: “What must a government do to be worthy of recognition?” This is a question that Philipp Annawitt poses in a recent The Diplomat article, and discusses with Insight Myanmar Podcast vis-...

13 Jan 20231h 41min

Talkin' Bout a Revolution

Talkin' Bout a Revolution

Episode #141: Jon rejoins us one year following his interview last year, and straight away expresses how his original hopes for a nonviolent solution were somewhat naïve. In the past year, he has come...

6 Jan 20231h 46min

Myanmar’s Voices for Freedom (Panel Discussion)

Myanmar’s Voices for Freedom (Panel Discussion)

Episode #140: Better Burma, in partnership with One Light Global, was proud to host "Myanmar's Voices for Freedom,” a panel discussion that bought together five, dynamic, Burmese nationals, each resis...

30 Des 20222h 37min

The Overturned Alms Bowl

The Overturned Alms Bowl

Episode #139: After Bhikkhuni Vimala (they/their) learned about military coup in Myanmar, they wanted to find a way to express their feelings against it. They ultimately landed on the idea of encourag...

23 Des 20221h 28min

Paint It Black

Paint It Black

Episode #138: “Almost everything was propaganda,” Paing comments, reflecting on his childhood growing up in Yangon. His release came in the form of artistic expression through music, largely influence...

16 Des 20221h 38min

Mission of Burma

Mission of Burma

Episode #137: A lifelong Czech diplomat and currently Ambassador to Austria, Jiří Šitler talks about his career and the interesting ties between his country and Myanmar.He first official task was to n...

9 Des 20221h 34min

Breaking Glass Ceilings, Documenting Atrocities

Breaking Glass Ceilings, Documenting Atrocities

Episode #136: “I usually do what I want,” Nyein admits openly. Somewhat unusual for a woman in traditional Burmese culture, it is an attitude Nyein cultivated during the democratic transition period o...

3 Des 20221h 26min

Following the Dhamma

Following the Dhamma

Episode #135: “We just felt like we knew Myanmar, and it didn't seem like a foreign place to us.” So says Tamara Edwards, currently the Center Teacher at Dhamma Pabha, a vipassana meditation center in...

29 Nov 202247min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
i-retten
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-ness
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
rss-dannet-uten-piano
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik
e24-podden