Burma: Prospects for a Democratic Future

Book Description
Since Burma's current despotic military rulers took power in 1989, this pivotal, troubled, and bitterly divided Southeast Asian nation has rejected important opportunities for political and economic liberalization. The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) has repressed Nobel Peace Price winner and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her fellow democracy advocates, rejecting their electoral victory in 1990. The SLORC had reached a wary truce with ethnic minority groups, and has recently become a member of the economically important Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This book examines the origins and consequences of Burma's current policies from military, political, social, and economic perspectives. It analyzes the Asian decision to "constructively engage" Burma, especially in economic affairs, versus the position of the United States and many other Western countries to treat Burma as a pariah. Other chapters focus on the drug trade (Burma produces more than 60 percent of the world's heroin), the growing role of China as Burma's military and economic "big brother," political culture and democratic traditions, the unsustainable nature of current economic growth, shortfalls in education and health systems, and Burma's potential for foreign investment.


Card catalog description
Burma has been thrown back to an earlier, more nakedly brutal period of dictatorial excess. Since being defeated overwhelmingly in the 1990 elections, the State Peace and Development Council, a steely military junta despite its name, has repressed dissent, detained Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, and violated the human rights and civil liberties of countless Burmese. What to do about Burma is a difficult question. This World Peace Foundation book provides an understanding of why answers are hard and a ready solution is not at hand. Its chapters, written by a number of the world's leading authorities on Burma, discuss the country's history and political culture, its economic and trade prospects, the power of the army, ethnic relations, its educational and health crises, and the drug trade.


From the Publisher
Robert I. Rotberg is president of the World Peace Foundation, and professor and coordinator of Southern Africa programs for the Harvard Institute for International Development. His previous Brookings/World Peace Foundation books include Haiti Renewed: Political and Economic Prospects (1997), Vigilance and Vengeance: NGOs Preventing Ethnic Conflict in Divided Societies (1996), and War and Peace in Southern Africa (1998).


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Burma has been thrown back to an earlier, more nakedly brutal period of dictatorial excess. Since being defeated overwhelmingly in the 1990 elections, the State Peace and Development Council, a steely military junta despite its name, has repressed dissent, detained Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, and violated the human rights and civil liberties of countless Burmese. What to do about Burma is a difficult question. This World Peace Foundation book provides an understanding of why answers are hard and a ready solution is not at hand. Its chapters, written by a number of the world's leading authorities on Burma, discuss the country's history and political culture, its economic and trade prospects, the power of the army, ethnic relations, its educational and health crises, and the drug trade.


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