Today is 22nd May, 2009. As you all know that our national leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been on trial in very notorious In Sein Jail. Many of my friends who love democracy are suffering alot for this unfair, unjustice and very womenish things done by SPDC. We could not sleep well, we all want to know update news from Burma. We also worry for our people. We worry for U Win Tin and all NLD members including youths.
We all perceive that now is the critical time. Be alert and brainstorm for the the best solution.
Me..personally ask my self and find out . And I cannot hide my desire to share my thoughts. Once I have a paper when I was in Harvard University. The title is " Conventional Democracy for Burma".
Let me have a chance to share with all democracy lovers and hope it may have some value and interestign points.
Recommendations for vast governance problem in Burma:Conventional Democracy for Burma
“Over the past generation, radical-democratic ideas have reemerged as an important intellectual and political force. This reemergence reflects a combination of skepticism about the regulatory capacities of national governments and concerns about the capacity of conventional democracies to engage the energies of ordinary citizens. By “conventional democracies,” we mean systems of competitive representation, in which citizens are endowed with political rights, including the rights of speech, association, and suffrage; citizens advance their interests by exercising their political rights, in particular by voting for representatives in regular elections; elections are organized by competing political parties; and electoral victory means control of government, which gives winning candidates the authority to shape public policy through legislation and control over administration.”
1. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)
CONTENTS
Executive summary
I. Introduction
II. Why military junta still remains holding on power?
III. Countervailing power on the other side of the arms
a. Inner mindset of citizen
b. The strength of NLD and Pro democracy forces
c. Religious leaders and student unions
d. Initiation of democracy movements by using internet and Information Technology
IV. External Drivers for democratization process in Burma
a. International Sanctions
b. Border and exile Pro-democracy forces
c. Cutting of International development aid to Burma
d. Discontinuation of Social Ties and Economic Ties
V. Challenges in Innovation in Democratic Governance in Burma
a. Inability to practice fair justice by judiciary body
b. Unacceptable road map and referendum
c. Absurd Brutal crackdown in every public voice and peaceful demonstration
d. Lack of fundamental human rights
e. Unwillingness of international organizations
f. Challenges regarding sanctions
g. Lack of Media Freedom
VI. Public Participation as a key to conventional democracy
VII. Recipe to cure and coordination to sure
VIII. Conclusion
Reference
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Burma has been under military regime since 1962. It has a long record of governing the country and its own people with oppression. The situation in Burma becomes worsen as there is no role of legal body. The sham national referendum was done in May 2008. At present, the regime is planning to go on with its 2010 re-election, intending to change their military uniforms and representing themselves as a legitimate civilian government. They neglected the 1990 election result in which National League for Democracy won landslide which is the symbol and proof of public willingness and desire for a change in Burma towards a true democratic country.
Since, 1962, every pro democracy movement, mass protests and public demonstrations have been cracked down by brutally by military regime in Burma. Recent mass public movements for democracy in Burma such as 1988 student uprising and 2007 saffron revolution by monks has also been brutally cracked down by military.. The county’s pro democracy leader Daw Aung Sann Su Kyi has been detained under house arrest for more than decade without any reasonable clause of law. Decade long ethnic conflicts and social problems still remain in the country. There is no media freedom in the country and the citizen’s rights to assess knowledge and information are blocked by new implemented strict media law.
All of the country’s key business activities are monopolized by minority tyranny which composed of military generals, their relatives and their elite business associates. The cost of fuel and other fundamental essential things have been sky high with high inflation rate under regime’s economic mismanagement. Burma bureaucratic mechanism is working under high corruption. New generation military officers are trained and mould into the wrong political and governance philosophy. Entire population is threatened under closed environment and almost no exposure to international democratic societies. Military regime laid down the seven steps road map to construct democracy for Burma. But there is no time frame in it and public is not allowed
to involve in the process of constitution and democratization process. New constitution is not acceptable by public and by any international democratic society standard.
There are some strong actions implemented by external drivers for democratic change in Burma such as economic sanctions, cutting of international aid for development projects, stopping economic and social ties with Burma. But it is still controversial on willingness of international communities. United Nations, United States, European Union, ASEAN and some neighboring countries like China, India and Thailand should have more cooperation and coordination for democratization process in Burma. There are many Burmese pro democracy groups struggling inside Burma, in exile and border areas for democratic change of the country. But their effectiveness to achieve any change in Burma is limited because of lack of cohesiveness and unity among all these groups.
Therefore, the feasible solution with innovative approach is required for Burma to be free from fear, oppression and authoritarian dictatorship. The concept from innovation in democratization passes the idea of forming public sphere and spaces to form social networks and social trust. Then, in turn, informed citizens can choose the informed choice correctly. That will make more true people’s representatives in the local, regional and states level in the government institutions. The result of true representatives will allow effective governance and stable government.
The civic social culture is closely linked to political culture and political cognition. The public level of knowledge, understanding and interest in political matters to make meaningful decision is constructed and started by initiation of political culture. Citizens must have a sufficient knowledge of the political system. The informed citizen begins to reshape the view of citizenry and democratic politics. In Burma, it is very important to recognize that the public force is the one and only key strength for getting of democracy. Therefore, it needs to educate and inform the public to become informed citizens as a prerequisite. The possible democratic reform in Burma can start as the form of “conventional democratic” governance. It needs radical change and massive public participation. The process can be enhanced by the international communities and influential organizations.
I. INTRODUCTION
In 2010, Burma military junta will hold the general election without recognizing 1990 election result. The junta held a national referendum in May 2008, in the midst of Cyclone Nargis, the worst natural disaster that the country has ever experienced. Military regime announced the referendum is approved by over 90% of votes.2 However, it was held under massive intimidation and unfair treatment to the public. Moreover, the proposed constitution is deeply flawed and intended only to entrench the military's grip on power. It was drafted without any genuine involvement of opposition political parties, such as the National League for Democracy which won 1990 general election and other important Burma's ethnic minorities groups as well. Military Junta in Burma constantly violates human rights of its citizens and therefore it is left isolated by the international community.
Instead of practicing a democratic transformation process, military junta disrespect the justice system and individual citizen rights. Many political prisoners including social, political activists and their extended supporters are sentenced to long term imprisonment since 2007. It is time to drive military junta to go back to their barrack as they have no ability to handle the judiciary system, public policies and to lead social, political and economic developments in the country. Now is the critical time for Burma to democratic transformation that needs effective initiation of people power and pro-democracy forces internally. In addition, the external drivers have to exercise more actively and effectively to achieve a progressive democratization process and to implement national reconciliation peacefully with genuine democratic way without holding a re-election in 2010.
In this final term paper, I try to illuminate on the causes that make the present military regime in Burma that persist for more than two decades since September1988 till now. By analyzing all realistic causes, external and internal driving factors and underlying strengths and weaknesses of the pro democracy forces based on the current socio-economic and political situation and trend, I try to explore some possible and feasible ways to achieve the national reconciliation and democratization in Burma.
Under military government ruled dictatorship, without fair justice system and enforcement of law, Burmese people suffer and sacrifice whilst fighting for their basic rights, freedom and democracy. How can Burmese people to able to participate in decision making process for their own future under the darkness of knowledge and information? How to get the coordinated forces from international community especially, United Nations, European Union, AEAN countries and neighboring countries including China, India and Thailand to take moral and political responsibilities to take part in removing the dictatorship and tyranny? How to construct sustainable social capacity developments, social trust, social nets and social culture to achieve a stable socio-political status that can lead a way to democracy?
I would also like to put some sound idea that conventional democracy, made up with right informed citizens choices coming out from social capacity building. By collaborative and cohesiveness of democracy lovers, Burma will definitely get onto a path of democratization in the hands of people power by committing them to broader participation in public initiated decision-making. Citizens should have greater direct roles in public choices or deeper civic engagements with substantive political issues and be assured that officials will be responsive to their concerns and judgments. 3
II. WHY MILITARY JUNTA STILL REMAINS HOLDING ON POWER
By understanding the organizational military psychology, philosophy and perspective of military regime of Burma, the strategic policy and plan for democratization could be considered in more feasible and practical way. The vision and belief of military regime is that; Burma is a country of diverse multi-ethnicity up to 135 ethnics and these different ethnic groups have been fighting for separation and independence for decades. And, any democratically elected civilian government could not be able to maintain the country’s peace and stability. The old and new military generals as well as younger military officers blindly believe that the military is the only well established institution that can prevent disintegration of the nation. They believe that only arm power can maintain stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the union. Poor political philosophy, stubbornness to hold the country’s power, narrow minded nationalism, extreme intolerant nature and unreasonable stickiness to power of military regime have created political culture of Burma.
Military regime has made the plan of seven steps roads map without considering people genuine desire. They are misguiding its citizens to the wrong direction of democratic reform process, political developments, national reconciliation and implementing effective governance system for sustainable socio-economic developments in the country. The regime has fear for any action form international justice system for their killing machine to its own people in demonstrations if they lost their power grip in Burma.
Minority tyranny are monopolizing all the highly lucrative big businesses such as Timber , mining, infrastructure projects, gems, trading of agricultural products, oil and gas related supplies, other export, import trading and foreign currency exchanges. They are manipulating country’s economic system and businesses by letting the state own enterprises to have granted to do so. And most lucrative projects and trading are only permitted to the military general’s relatives and their business associates. Most of Burmese government’s economic development plan and public policy are implemented in ad-hoc basis instead of considering multi-dimensional factors and long term sustainable approach. However, existing micro economic structure and system in Burma is probably created for the best fit for long term survival of the regime. 4
One very obvious example of military government’s ad-hoc approach is that in August 2007, ruling military authority suddenly increased the price of gasoline more than double because they claimed that they could no longer subsidize it. High fuel and transportation costs have quickly impacted the rest of the commodity prices and entire economy as the consequences of particular ad-hoc economic and public policy decision. Within days, the price of essential commodities had been raised to double. The citizens could no longer afford to travel to work and many businesses were forced to close down. The result of short sighted ad-hoc public policy had created a nation -wide Buddhist monk led peaceful protest in September 2007, also known as “Saffron revolution.5
III. Countervailing power on the other side of the arms: The real strength from inner mindset of the citizens
(a) Inner mindset of citizens
Burma is one of the highest ranking in corruption index due to deterioration of socio-economic hardship for the prolonged period. After more than 20 years under military rules and administration, the socio-economic hardship becomes worsen, affecting majority of population and creating social divide among citizens.
In addition, military government set up the military sponsored social organizations such as Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) and civilian militia group (Swan-Ar-Shin) in recent years. Many people joined these pro-military social organizations to gain small relief from their hardship. These are example of new social pattern change under military regime. The country is isolated from outside world and virtually majority of people do not have any real democratic knowledge. They have never had a chance to practice any democratic process in their entire lifetime.
Although under these circumstances, the people are still more cohesive and tolerant to military unfair judgments. They hate military government, the dictatorship and administrative mechanism, but not to the ordinary soldiers at personnel level. They understand that military junta is tyrant and unfairly taken over the state power and taking too much advantages of political, social, and economical sectors for their own benefits. The inner sense of the public drives the ordinary people of Burma into a very strong public force. It has been clearly seen in 1990 general election. The citizens disgusted to military regime and therefore they voted for main opposition party NLD in 1990 general election, with or without knowingly well enough about the party. With their inner mindset, they have strong desire of democratic change. This inner desire is a very resilient and reliable power of people in the long run to get democratic governance.
(b) The strength of NLD and pro democracy forces
The key player against Military junta is National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung Sann Suu Kyi, a noble peace laureate. There are some other smaller political parties, pro-democracy forces inside and outside Burma as well as many ethnic forces too. Other influential players inside the country are Buddhist monks and university students. The government employed workers are frightened to take part in any political involvement practically. Military regime made various method of systematic and harsher punishment, intimidation, imprisonment to all pro-democracy forces inside Burma including Buddhist monks, 8888 generation student leaders and also members of NLD party. NLD MPs and its party members are still struggling a lot and sacrifice a lot with their capacities, tactic, strategic campaign plan, mobilizing the ordinary people inside the country. Although weakening of NLD, Aung Sann Su Kyi is still remains as a most important public leader, public figure and democratic icon attracting international interest, media attention and supports. Aung San Suu Kyi is well recognized and accepted as a leadership figure for the pro-democracy forces of Burma. It is extremely important that she is getting the valuable and realistic information and advices from her contacts and her advisors and members of her party. 6
The leading political organization and groups in exile such as NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma), NCGUB (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma) and ENC (Ethnic Nationality Council) and many ethnic groups are still moving ahead for the democracy for Burma. There are other hundreds of Burmese political campaign groups functioning in overseas and unifying among all these individuals and groups have been also a big challenge for the pro democracy forces themselves .7
(c) Religious Leaders and Students Unions
The obvious evidence of religious leaders took part in the leadership roles in political movement was clearly seen when the Buddhist monks led peaceful protest, also know as Saffron Revolution in September, 2007 in Burma. Despite the military junta has been trying to demolish and crack down their movement, with the resilient desire, the religious leaders are working for religious freedom as well as for the public good by indirect means and secretly finding ways to improve country’s situation. The students’ unions have been cracked down and all most all of student leaders inside Burma were detained and imprisoned, there were presence of sporadic movements and occasional democracy activities can be still found in Burma.
(d) Initiation of democracy movements by using internet and Information Technology
Initial pattern of E-democracy movements or citizen journalism by young generation including bloggers, chat rooms, hip hoppers and e-letters dissemination have started in Burma in recent years. It has certain extent of recognition and achievement especially during Saffron revolution. These brave and active citizens participate online blogging, connecting each other via internet, forming informal social groups and achieving cohesions. These forces are unseen, but they are very vigorous and strong in communication and information sharing among youths and across different demographic.
IV. External Forces for Democratization
(a)International Sanctions
Sanctions approach is effective only when there is cooperation from all nations from international community. The sanction is hurting not only to the military government, but also to the people. The sanctions make military government to face enormous difficulty for their survival. But on the other hand, it is hurting their individuals and organizational pride and as the result pushing them to be more nationalism sentiment and make them more determined for their power grip. Sanction is driving millions of ordinary Burmese people into deeper hole of poverty and as the consequences it is hurting the human capacity developments, the fundamental requirement for the progress of democratizing process. The consequence of combined economy mismanagement of the country, poor foreign and public policy as well as international sanctions and isolation has created extreme socio-economic hardship in Burma. As the results, there have been big wave of brain drain in Burma. Entire middle class and intellectuals have lack of opportunity for personal development and their ability to contribute to institutional and society development are undermined under these difficult circumstances. Majority of active and best brains in the area of social and political entrepreneurs of Burma are living in abroad. 8
(b)Border and exile Pro-democracy forces
Many democratic forces are forming association, organization and advocacy groups in border area and/or in abroad. They include exile members of parliament elected from 1990 general election, social activists, 1988 generation student activists and many other campaign groups for Burma. The unity among various pro democracy forces and ethnic groups in exiles and border are very weak and there is lack of strong and coordinated strategies among them.9
(c) Cutting of International development aid to Burma
One of controversial but effective actions by external forces for Burma democratic change is by suspending international financial aid. The international aid started cutting off to Burma despite they know the real situation in the country which is hungrily needed for international aid in many sectors especially in education, health care and infrastructure works. Since 1988 uprising and 1990 election in Burma, foreign governments and international organizations have promoted democratization as the solution to the country’s manifold problems, including ethnic conflict, endemic social instability, and general underdevelopment.10 The international development agencies are making a significant difference bringing relief and new opportunities to vulnerable groups, building local capacities, even helping to rationalize policy-making and planning and yet they could do a lot more indeed. If the international assistance is properly applied, it could serve to promote political reconciliation and build the social capital necessary for a successful democratic transition. However the long term impact of democratization process in Burma by cutting financial aid should be carefully reevaluate by donor country and organization under current situation in Burma.
(d)Discontinuation of Social Ties and Economic Ties
United States and European Union are the key player in cutting of economic ties and sanctions on Burma. But, the problem is that refusals of ASEAN, India, China, Korea and the oil and gas companies are becoming Burma's largest trading and investment partners and they are supporting military junta in some way. The economic sanctions made by United States has definitely made certain level of impact on Burma economy. The announcement of the black listed company which are doing business investment in Burma is one of effective ways to punishing the military junta although it is controversial policy . The stoppage of economic investment in Burma affects the military generals and the elites who are doing business in partners rigorously.
V. Challenges of Democratization in Burma
(a) Inability to practice fair justice by judiciary body
The current situation in Burma regarding legislation is out of fairness. The judiciary is not independent of the military junta. The lawyers and judges cannot perform ethically as their professional roles. They have to carry out their job without obeying even existing law, due process and fair trial guarantees under military rules. They practice judiciary procedures by violating the law in arresting and detaining and sentencing to the citizens who are politically active or involved. The lawyers in Burma do not have chance to practice effectiveness and freedom to perform their professional functions. The military often revokes a lawyer’s license on suspicion if his/her involvement in politics. There is also a threatening of repercussion for lawyers who representing the political activists or prisoners for their conscience. In addition, lawyers who are not prepared to participate (in paying bribes) under the corrupt justice system risk prosecution under the Contempt of Court Act for their alleged improper attitude towards the judges. 11
Moreover, the members of the body supervising the admission of advocates are selected by the military junta and make decisions in accordance with the junta’s directives. This means that admission is dependent on political commitment rather than merit. Lawyers also suffer persecution as a consequence of being identified with their clients’ causes, and lawyer-client confidentiality is not respected in cases concerning political issues. In summary, it is due to the suspension of the constitution which has rendered the separation of powers ineffective, and left civil society with no legitimate means of challenging executive power.
(b)Unacceptable road map and referendum
The military junta’s proposed roadmap to democracy guide do not complete since it was first announced. There is no specific time frame on the road map. The so-called 7 steps road map to democracy of military regime are as follows in step by step:
(1) Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996.
(2) After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic system.
(3) Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.
(4) Adoption of the constitution through national referendum.
(5) Holding of free and fair elections for Legislative bodies according to the new constitution.
(6) Convening of Legislative body attended by members of legislative body in accordance with the new constitution.
(7) Building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the legislation body and the government and other central organs formed by the legislation body.12
In general, the road map itself seems reasonable and it will be effective for a democratic transition if the military junta follow exactly these steps with large public participation. But there are many tricks in the roadmap as that it does not state any specific time frame for all these steps. At this moment, the regime has announced that they have successfully achieved up to step four although there is no practical improvement on the ground.
(C)Absurd Brutal crackdown in every public voice and peaceful demonstration
The military government is always ready to do brutal crackdown and harsh punishment to any revolutionary mass public demonstration or even any peaceful demonstration of single person standing in front of the city’s town hall. Burma social uprising happened in 1964, 1974, 1988, 1996, 2007 and each uprising, the protesters have been gunned down. 13 All of these events have proved that single event of breaking the rule of dictatorship and governance circle will not transform the country into new direction. The status-quo will not easily change and even worsens by these single event of mass protest.
(d)Lack of fundamental human rights
Universal declaration of human rights has celebrated its sixtieth years anniversary and political and social system have dramatically improved of many parts of the world ever since it was first implemented. But, Burma and its citizens are suffering basic human rights abuse until now because of military negligence to respect individual rights. Especially in the media field, the censorship body scrutinized by the military government is a key barrier for all kinds of media to disseminate the information to the hands of public. The darkness in media for a long run makes the people to feel intellectual numbness and ignorance to the public affair, comparative political and other international current developments and situations.
(e) Unwillingness of International community
If International community has stronger political will and determination on Burma, It can improve the situation in Burma. But there are only some countries like China and India who have more geopolitical interest in Burma and increase their influence in economic and political influence in Burma. Only China has highest attention by blocking democratization process of Burma for its geopolitical interest.
(f)Challenges regarding sanctions
United Nation Sanction Committee’s resolutions on Burma were vetoed and blocked by China and Russia in the past. The sanctions imposed by US and EU has little affect on military regime but huge negative impact on ordinary people and as the consequences, poor human capacity developments and democratization process. Counter productivity of sanctions should be re-evaluated after years of failure policy and strategy. The sanctions, harsh approach of the West is pushing the military regime to go under to the stronger economic, military ties and political influence of China and Russia in recent years. Current trend suggests that all factors are pushing Burmese military government to the other side of democratic reform table.
(g)Lack of Media Freedom
Burma is one of the worst media freedom countries. All publishing media, press, journals and magazines, all radio and TV media and internet access are under very tight control of military regime. So, information and knowledge that its citizens getting are extremely and dangerously limited for the general population across all demographic. Regime is using tremendous amount of resources in blocking media freedom and launching various psychological warfare to its own people. The regime’s propaganda is working at certain extent especially affecting most vulnerable population, the poor and low educated people of civil societies. The result of it has generated confusion and the idea of social divide among its citizen.
But in September 2007, during Saffron Revolution, the new generation used the information technology well and uploaded the latest information and photos about the protest and development of the event on the internet. The efforts of many citizen journalists and their usage of IT platform have helped made the world known about military government’s cruelty of its crackdown on the peaceful religious monks and civilians protesters who were chanting of Metta Sutra (words of peace, loving, and kindness).
Moreover, they are trying to find ways to bypass the web access effectively and efficiently for forming of social nets using blogs and chats despite the military ruler’s strict rule in blocking and absurd actions against them.
VI. Public participation as a Key to conventional democracy
The greater public participation of people in democratization process and continuous engagement between government and public societies will make more transparent, fair, and effective in between them. It will also contribute to sustainable human capacity development. Civic societies are a prerequisite and fundamental pillar for democracy.
In a public sphere and place, citizens group together to solve the problems, promote the common interest, building the social trust among them and set common goals and objectives as community and groups. It will allow them to select the representative of their own community and group. That will make more true people’s representatives in the local, regional and states level in the government institution. The result of true representatives will allow effective governance and stable government. The civic culture are closely linked to political culture and political cognition , voting behavior and political participation of public as a whole which is in turn closely linked to democratization process and democratic transition and it becomes a prerequisite for democracy.14
The public’s abilities; public level of knowledge, understanding and interest in political matters to make meaningful decision is constructed and it is initiation of a political culture. The public who make decision must know and understand the options that the policy face and people confront.15 Citizens must have a sufficient knowledge of the political system. The informed citizen begins to reshape the view of citizenry and democratic politics. The better knowledge makes them right choice in electoral voting. Citizens participate in democracy process make sense of their ownership and active involvement through discussion and social engagement.16
In Burma, It is very important to recognize that the public force is the one and only key strength for building the country’s democracy. Therefore, it is needed to educate and inform public to become informed citizens. This is the first step to build the public sphere and space to get public network and create the social environment that encourage people to have a chance to discuss about politics freely. Then, they might have more social engagements and upgrade the knowledge on democracy and get the cohesive social force. The social culture will again turns into political culture gradually within society.
VII. Recipe to cure and coordination to sure
Most prominent ultimate goal of the public is that Burma must be ruled by democratically-elected civilian government by honoring the result of the 1990 election and it can be in alignment with universal human rights standard. The issue in Burma is needed to be resolved before reelection process in 2010. If not, the unacceptable constitution is recognized is legitimate and it will allow the military government in just outfitting themselves as a civilian government to exercise more tyranny. Burma must have a democratic constitution, which guarantees the rights to equality and self-determination of all ethnic nationalities too. In Burma, there is more than 135 ethnicities and in practical, it is very hard to organize and make unity among them. Moreover, it has been long in backwards economic downtrend for more than two decades and most of the people have met with difficulties in getting of fundamental and basic requirements. One desirable option is a federal government system to introduce in each and every state.
it is now time to call the military to enter into an inclusive and time-bound constructive dialogue with the elected party NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and along with the ethnic nationalities for a compromised political settlement. The tri-partite dialogue among Military, NLD and Ethnic groups is one of the most important steps to actual read map to democracy in Burma. This will proceed for national reconciliation and the emergence of the democratization peacefully in the county.
Moreover, well understanding of informed citizens is the key contributor for building democracy in the midst of this current political environment. The possible democratic reform in Burma can start as the form of “conventional democratic” governance. It needs radical change and public participation and also needs support by the military regime with full understanding.
By “conventional democracies,” we mean systems of competitive representation in which citizens are endowed with political rights, including the rights of speech, association, and suffrage; citizens advance their interests by exercising their political rights, in particular by voting for representatives in regular elections; elections are organized by competing political parties; and electoral victory means control of government, which gives winning candidates the authority to shape public policy through legislation and control over administration.17
The effective decision making process should be a multi-spectrum approach and sought for long term political landscape of Burma rather than a short sighted action and approach. The legitimate constitution and selection are parts of the whole democratization process of Burma. Many other factors such as sustainability of democracy, human capacity developments and educating the people with basic democratic knowledge will play crucial roles of this country’s future political and social change.
In Burma case, the political and social model is very complex and complicated. First of all, it needs to correct the Political philosophy of Military. The pro democracy forces of Burma and international community have to acknowledge that military organization is the most important part of democratic reform process in Burma. Currently Military Junta is the main barrier to democracy. Currently, Military Junta is standing in the gateway to the country’s democracy. But military generals are afraid that they will be tried to International Criminal Court if any new independent people’s government is in power in Burma. Their concern of any punishment by newly elected civilian government for their human rights abuses is the reason why military general are trying to stick to the country’s power grip. At the same time, the willingness to compromise in power sharing with military regime by opposition parties, pro democracy forces and ethnic groups is very crucial to get transformed.
Socio-economic development to improve knowledge of entire population including high ranking military officers and other ranked military coups are also important. Burma and military regime have been isolated from international community for many years. Prolonged isolation has generated mistrust to foreign countries. The military’s philosophy of military institution first and centralization of governance instead of people first approach is the products of extreme xenophobia and fear of balkanization of the military regime in Burma.
The ultimate way to correct political philosophy is to bring the military generals and young blood officers into the international community to educate them in creating civilized governance and democratic political environment which will educate the military general about human rights and good governance system.
In a way of constructive engagement, stronger action as well as giving political and financial rewards to military regime by international community based on improvements of human rights record and progress of democratization process in Burma.
It is very important to create public sphere and places to form social networks and social interconnectedness with military members, their families. It is to get social trust among the people themselves as well as to the military society. More social inter-connection among military young officers and public will greatly enhance in transforming process. By supporting in education and human capacity developments will improve the skills of future leader in equipping with required democratization knowledge. External drivers need to support basic technology and information infrastructure inside and outside the country to educate people to understand their individual rights and become informed citizens as well as understanding of their responsibility as citizen.
During the Cold War, Burmese foreign policy was based on principles of neutrality, often tending toward xenophobia. The idea of neutrality and free and fair foreign policy of Burmese government have turned towards anti West Policy since military regime is in power. 18 It is also time to change the xenophobic attitude of military regime.
From the very influential and powerful sources, United Nations can make very distinguished and turning changes to Burma. European Union and many western countries planned for giving international development aid and getting the strategically composed democratization along to Burma in supporting of socio- economic development projects. United Nations also make special impact to Burma by giving external pressure by many ways. United States of America can do tremendous sharing of knowledge to Burmese people by many delicate ways.19
China would be the key player to Burma's issue. China has a stronger business as well as social ties to Burmese dictators. On the other hand, the Burma's status-quo would be more beneficial to China both socially and economically. Moreover, Burma is strategically important to China as a balance of power to its nearest rival, India. That is why it inevitably needs to consider China in Burma issue.
VIII. Conclusion
Burma is very unique in its situation as military regime has been survived for many years even with deteriorating country’s economy, education, health, social and political sectors. The ethnic problems and insurgent problems are still unsolved. The inflation rate is rising and majority of civilians are suffered from socio-economic hardship. Legal body is paralyzed and absurd imprisonment and sentences are being made to political and social activists. Minority tyranny is growing and socio-economic and many other factors are driving the certain level of social divide inside the country.
Meantime, ASEAN has adopted a non-interference policy regarding domestic problems of member states, while urging Burma to move towards democracy by holding free and fair elections by 2010 and to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. United States has certain position to play on Burma. European Union has less interest in Burma than China does. China’s over zealous and interest on Burma issues for its own geopolitical interest is becoming the obstacle for democratization process in Burma.
By analyzing various political and social and economic factors from different point of view, it is to be concluded that, under present situation, there is no single solution nor single group could solve complex problems of a country with 135 different ethnic groups under the circumstance of decade long political, ideological and ethnic conflicts.
By identifying and scanning the root causes and each parameter that make the military to able to hold power firmly will enable policy makers, advocates and pro demo activists to find some feasible solutions. With understanding underlying problems and pros and cons of each policy and effectiveness discuss in this paper may help overcome the challenges and current problems facing in Burma, countervailing power to military regime. The collaborative and feasible solutions can be well-tailored for Burma as its current circumstance. In the arrays of innovation in democratization, the informed citizens, the citizenry choices and voices and the political culture of the public become very vital for democratization. It is not deniable of the public force as the strongest power of the country. And it is possible to construct the public space and sphere for organizing pubic and forming public social nets. From that social ties and nets, the social trust can be born. Steadily changing the culture of citizens, the political culture can be introduced. And the political knowledge will be instilled and injected to public.
If 2010 election is forced to happen by regime, the informed citizen can pass that challenge with their proper political knowledge to get the right choice. The cohesiveness and willingness of Burmese people can gain democracy by convention with their own strength with the supports, political will and taking moral responsibility of international community.
References:
1. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)
2. Http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5CPAPERS27%5CPAPER2667.htm
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4. www.usip.org/pubs/working_papers/wp2_democracy_burma, retreived on 19th December, 2008
5. Reflections on Human development by Mahbubul Haq Published by Oxford University Press US, 1995
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19. news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html, retreived on 18th December, 2008
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