Dictatorial rule continues in Burma

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer / Daily Vidette Photo Editor
Professor Tun Myint of the Department of Political Science at Carleton College presented "Explaining Doggedness of Dictatorial Rules in Burma/Myanmar?" at International Seminar Series Wednesday afternoon.


Tun Myint, assistant professor of political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., spoke about the prolonged history of struggles between the Burmese government and its citizens in the Bone Student Center Wednesday afternoon.


The presentation, "Explaining Doggedness of Dictatorial Rules in Burma/Myanmar," focused on the history of military rule in Burma and how the legitimacy of the government has come under constant question.

"Burma will continue to struggle for legitimacy until its government is replaced by a more democratic one," Myint said.

"Legitimacy will come when there is a strong sense of religious and cultural foundation effectively built into the government's soul."

Burma, the largest country by geographical area in southeast Asia, has been controlled by its military since 1962. There have been many protests against the government, but few have had any success.

According to Dr. Te-Yu Wang, professor of politics and government, Myint spent two years in Burma as a student activist.

"It's rare to find an expert who was actually there opposing the government," Wang said. "We were just lucky to get him for this presentation."

In order to legitimize the Burmese government, the social foundation of Burma needs to be better defined, according to Myint.

"Without social foundations, no roots of democracy can exist," Myint said. "So far, government has failed to establish a law system based on social foundations."

There are four main social foundations to consider, according to Myint.

"The most important one is defining religious views," Myint said. "Eighty-nine percent of the Burmese population is Buddhist, so teaching of Buddha is essential."

Another important social foundation essential to Burmese life is teaching karma.

"No single creator exists in Buddhism," Myint said. "You are your own creator."

"For example, if you look at a piece of wood, it is just wood, but if you put pieces of wood together, you call it a table. You created it."

The final two social foundations are creating a specific language and naming system.

In addition to successfully building social foundations into the government, Burma faces other challenges in its quest for legitimacy.

"The government needs to think outside the box," Myint said. "They need to institute a framework that will meet the needs of the self-governing nature of the citizens. A lot of citizens do not even have the basic needs necessary for survival."

Myint's presentation was part of the International Seminar Series, available to the public every Wednesday at noon on the third floor of the Bone Student Center.

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