The Political Engagement Of Burma

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and President Vladimir Putin’s ascendency in the early 2000s, he and his government have been hell-bent on reclaiming Russia’s old title of a world superpower. In conjunction with his administration, Putin has commandeered Russia’s identity to the narrative of being an energy superpower by using the nation’s most effective weapon: the country’s energy resources. Peter Behr’s article for the Congressional Quarter Global Researcher titled “Energy Nationalism,” seeks to demonstrate and explain why and how Russia—in addition to other countries such as China and Venezuela—became so nationalistic and protective of its energy resources. Furthermore, “Since the oil age began more than a century ago, governments in the developing world—on both the right and left—have promised their people a fair share of the wealth…Instead, ‘black gold’ has spawned corruption, economic hardship, vast class differences and civil war” (Behr 2007). When politically creating a nation’s identity on the world’s stage, leaders incorporate the benefits and effects of human, material, and natural resources. Since these are constantly evolving variables, a country’s identity, particularly relating to natural resources, is constantly evolving as well. Nevertheless, Putin is reminiscing and effectively reenacting Russia’s energy production days in order to shape the narrative of being a geopolitical and energy superpower. However, prior to understanding and examining

The Unites States and The People’s Republic of China have been ever growing superpowers on the world scene since the last century. Their economies, military and social policies have been models and adapted by other nations on Earth and their present day influences in these same criteria seem to have no end. The driving force behind China’s industrialization and the United State’s global influence are one in the same; Energy. Both these nations have been fortunate enough through their geological locations to be able to find and harvest different sources of energy to propel their governments, economies, militaries, ect and with the help of harvesting the ingenuity of their respective populations to drive the discovery of more efficient and productive technologies in aspects of economics, home life and energy. This essay will go on to illustrate what energy sources either nations use and why they use them, what sources of energy they are trying to further develop and what sources of energy they import as well as export. Finally, We will touch upon the energy relationship between the US and China and compare this relationship through one or more international relations theories.

This conflict spans multiple generations of Burmese with a deep seeded hatred towards the Rohingya, and creates questions that would help understand the root causes for the Rohingya genocide. Why are the both the ethnic majority and the government in Myanmar, so driven to commit genocide on the Rohingya minority? The answer to this question is asserted by examining the economic circumstances in the country. Burma has faced extreme underdevelopment and corruption post the military junta takeover in 1962. The difficult economic circumstances in the state of Myanmar are the primary driving force for the majority to commit genocide on the Rohingya by what they view as the most rational solution to better their economic circumstances. In order to illustrate this assertion and draw conclusions from it, we must analyze the major economic risk factors and warning signs that have been prevalent in Burmese history since the British colonial period. This paper will first outline who the Rohingya people are, their origins, and their significance to Burmese history. Secondly, the economic situation in Myanmar as well as the logic of understanding this atrocity from an economic circumstance. Lastly, the response and treatment by the military and ethnic majority towards the Rohingya will be

I decided to analyze the Rohingya crisis further. The Rohingya crisis has been going on for years, but there was a short peace period before the military got involved in 2017. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launched attacks against Myanmar border police, attempting to avenge crimes committed by the Myanmar government. However, it gave the government the fuel they needed, and they began to call upon vigilante action to be taken against the terrorists. They began a campaign of fire and murder, pushing Rohingyas toward the Bay of Bengal to die. The civilian leader, Suu Kyi, hasn’t spoken against the military’s actions and has instead had her employees publish several fake issues of propaganda. The Rohingya men burn their houses “to make the government look bad”, the women cry “fake rape”, and that foreign aid workers lend “secret support” to ARSA terrorists (PRI). The crisis continues with thousands fleeing death, while most influential leaders go so far as to boldly exchange trinkets with the killers (Horowitz).

There is a significant change in the order of energy in the world, and there is the need of China to enforce its ability in becoming one of the major forces in global markets, and in the geopolitics that occur regarding energy. There are opportunities and challenges that are created as China aims to expand its global and regional linkages as they look for security in the supply of energy.

In this section, I will be discussing, the four categories—political, economic, health/education, and religion—that Burma needs to fix in order to build a democracy. First, it started out with political reforms. The flawed one-party constitution need to be changed. Although it might be difficult and take a long time to draft a new constitution without some form of participation by the military, it is still possible for Burma to create a new constitution. The process of drafting a new constitution should be approached in stages, with a succession of governments serving under a succession of transitional constitutions until the final goal is reached. This new constitution should guarantee basic human rights, economic reforms, and free market

For most of its history, Myanmar (also known as Burma) has had its destiny shaped by external influences. Colonialism, poverty, civil war, brutal dictatorships, and more have determined Burma’s rocky history. In the late 1940’s beloved Burmese general Aung San negotiated Burma’s independence from British Rule. He was assassinated only months after. A coup organized by the military in 1962 relegated the country to harsh dictatorship.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma is a country located in South- East Asia. It is here, from the years 1962 onwards, that we have used as our example of a breach of humans rights, as a government abuses its power and brings a country to ashes, and how one individual has made an astounding impact to change the lives of those affected for the better. Aung San Suu Kyi’s story is one that will never be forgotten. This is a woman, who sacrificed her freedom, for the country Burma’s rights for a non-violent democratic government. And so the story goes.

The Republic of Union of Myanmar, but formally known as Burma, is the largest country in mainland South-East Asia by area. It borders with China to the east and India to the north. It stands exactly midway between Delhi and Bombay and Shanghai and Hong Kong. It is the missing link. It is also an unlikely twenty first century nexus. In addition, the geostrategic location is favorable because it is situated in a region of strong economic growth, and bordering China, India, Laos, Bangladesh and Thailand. There are seven states and seven divisions in Myanmar. Myanmar is composed of many ethnic groups and there are 135 ethnic groups including the minorities. In fact, each of them have their own cultures, customs, traditions, languages and that makes her a very special unique. But, the majority people are Burmese and Burmese language is the official language of our country. Many of the people are Buddhist religion and it is well-known for its golden temple in the world. There are millions of Buddhist temples and statutes and sometimes we even called it “The Golden Land of Myanmar”. It has a diverse population of around 51 millions.

Tribalism (strong loyalty towards one’s own, and prejudice against other tribes) and favouritism (towards tribal members) deeply entrenched in the political scene  source of unhappiness and unequal opportunities

I argue that Wirathu of Burma’s preaching of hate-filled sermons should not be tolerated. While it is not the cause of the ethnic cleansing in Burma, his sermons can instigate violence between the Muslims and Buddhists in the country. This ignites more rationalization of the ethnic cleansing. Burma is no stranger to war or outside influence from other countries in the west, and after the Buddhists of the county fought against military rule in 2007, they won the international administration (Wade 6). Since the change in administration the Buddhist have been the most vocal about the external threat the Islamic faith causes for the country (Wade 6). Most of the violence is directed toward the Rohingya Muslims that were banned from Bangladesh because of violent campaigns (Wade 7). With the Buddhist being the majority, it is easy for them to push out the Rohingya with the ethnic cleansing, and some argue that Wirathu is at the head of the violence.

A balanced approach is always needed to ensure the most effective execution of diplomatic efforts and the best results. Additionally, the focus should be on policy change not on regime change; when a country feels pressured that another country is trying to come in and oust the ruling government, its actions will be hostile and it will not cooperate with diplomatic discussions. Only when a country feels that it is getting something proportionate will it fully cooperate with outside influences .

The democratic process of Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, has seen very little significant changes from civil society action. While each of these countries have claimed to be democratic nations, there has been little change in terms of government rule since their independence. These civil society groups are ones that reflect the ideas and values of a group of people, in pursuit of a common goal. The changes that have resulted are in Malaysia and Singapore’s governments, have been to restructure or assert their power to maintain control over these civil societies. This has been accomplished through media reform and regulations. Opposition to these ruling systems have been met with great friction, but nonetheless have seen some success in changing the state of its operation in small ways, yet not significantly due to the scope of their power.

Nothing brings foes together like the good old-fashioned lust for fossil fuels, but the shelf life of such makeshift alliances is hard to predict. The TAPI gas pipeline planned from Turkmenistan to India, by way of Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be a litmus test for the persuasive power of positive economics over set geopolitical agendas. It may seem like a no-brainer that TAPI is great news for energy starved South Asia, but it risks becoming a coercive tool to strong-arm downstream partners when relations sour.

As a relatively young country (in recent independence) only gaining its independence from Great Britain in 1948, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been crippled by the influence of its extensive colonial history . The various governments in Myanmar’s independence thus far, often run on empty promises and heavy artillery, have done little good for the country. The military forces in Myanmar have grown tremendously to the detriment of both prodemocracy leaders as well as the country’s population as a whole . Any attempted uprising in the country is quickly met with brute force as seen in the recent failed Saffron Revolution . The focus of the government on the growth of military power to the neglect of social and economic prosperity has