What Can We Learn?
Apr 08, 2012
The election that resulted in the historic win for Aung San Suu Kyi, marks a significant shift in the political future for Myanmar. Also known as Burma, this country has signaled a willingness to embrace a democratic reform at such a pace that can only be called breathtaking. Suu Kyi herself is witness to the hyper-change after year of house arrest between the years of 20 July 1989 until her most recent release on 13 November 2010. This stunning turn-around is a result of many factors, but is certainly a case study for those in the West. What can we learn? First it is important not to demagogue governments that differ from the democratic representative system that the west supports. The junta led government in Myanmar was repressive and totalitarian; however, the U.S. made the effort to solicit diplomatic communications with the leaders. Second, as Myanmar moved toward China, the U.S. did not overreact. This is a critical lesson. Myanmar's leader have come to know the style of Chinese "quid pro quo" that is expected and after years of difficult contractual negotiations, it was concluded that dealing with the west would be advisable. Third, there were progressive reformers within the junta-led government. As the U.S. avoided ideological overreach, the progressives eventually found their way through the maze of calcification and sclerotic ideas set forth by their junta colleagues, thus establishing a genuine system of internal reform. Had the U. S. overstepped in its rhetoric, the old guard would have likely hardened their stance as an aversion to outside interference. Lastly, by supporting Suu Kyi, the U.S. held the ideals for democratic reform as the path forward for Myanmar. Surely the confluence of events in Myanmar is unique, but there are lessons to be learned. When the U.S. overreaches, there is a certain backlash that sets back the organic impetus to move in the direction of democracy. Lessons to be learned and repeated was the world witnesses other states struggle with democratic reform.
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