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Performative Politics of Aung San Suu Kyi (or Papa’s Baby and Mama’s Maybe)

Tamara C. Ho

in Romancing Human Rights: Gender, Intimacy, and Power between Burma and the West

This chapter examines the representations and self-presentation of Aung San Suu Kyi during her entry into Burmese politics and her almost two decades of house arrest, with particular emphasis on her ... More

This chapter examines the representations and self-presentation of Aung San Suu Kyi during her entry into Burmese politics and her almost two decades of house arrest, with particular emphasis on her rhetorical and performative skill as well as the bodily and gendered rhetoric employed by various stakeholders. The chapter highlights Aung San Suu Kyi's flexible and tactical use of displacement and the manner in which she negotiated antagonistic oppositions, such as male/female, military/citizenry, intellect/body, religion/politics, and Burma/West. It explores the gendered operations of national and transnational power by focusing primarily on Aung San Suu Kyi's performativity, early writing, speeches, and incarceration in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. It argues that Aung San Suu Kyi represents a model of theory/practice by negotiating the interrelationships among the discourses of human rights and fascism, Buddhism and democracy, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, and gender and power. The case of Aung San Suu Kyi and her mother, Daw Khin Kyi, shows that Burmese women are capable of crossing and translating across borders of culture and nation.Less

The Lady’s not for turning: The challenge of the NLD

Richard Cockett

in Blood, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma

This chapter covers the activities of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, also known as “The Lady.” The year 1988 would see the political and economic landscape ... More

This chapter covers the activities of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, also known as “The Lady.” The year 1988 would see the political and economic landscape of Burma transformed as the NLD emerged to apply moral and political pressure for reform in Burma. This chapter discusses the rise of the NLD's oppositional movement; its persistence in upholding its ideals in the face of arrest, exile, or death of its members in the hands of the military regime; and the challenges it faced while trying to maintain a political foothold against the prevailing dictatorship for the purpose of establishing lasting reforms.Less

Revolt

Kenton Clymer

in A Delicate Relationship: The United States and Burma/Myanmar since 1945

This chapter studies the situation faced by the United States in Burma in August 1988. The people challenged the ruling military junta, with Aung San Suu Kyi—daughter of Burma's martyred independence ... More

This chapter studies the situation faced by the United States in Burma in August 1988. The people challenged the ruling military junta, with Aung San Suu Kyi—daughter of Burma's martyred independence hero—emerging as the opposition leader. Suu Kyi had saintly qualities, and her situation evoked questions about human rights. This was not the intention of either the Ronald Reagan or the George H. W. Bush administrations; but all agreed that the Burmese junta had acted brutally. After 1990, there were calls for sanctions and other strong measures against the ruling junta. Human rights, which had seldom been at the top of the American diplomatic agenda in Southeast Asia, were suddenly the focus of American policy debates. For perhaps the first time Burma received more attention in the United States than any other Southeast Asian country.Less

The Theatre of Democratization

Roman David and Ian Holliday

in Liberalism and Democracy in Myanmar

This chapter examines key protagonists of the transition, focusing on their agendas and popular support. It looks at the military and the USDP as its extended political wing, the NLD and Aung San Suu ... More

This chapter examines key protagonists of the transition, focusing on their agendas and popular support. It looks at the military and the USDP as its extended political wing, the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi as its overwhelmingly dominant leader, activist monks, ethnic parties and armed groups, and leading political forces in civil society. After a brief theoretical introduction, it evaluates each set of actors through an analysis of relevant records, attitudes, evolution, and reception by the people. It finds that the country’s political spectrum has a triangular shape with a balancing role for monks, whose prominent role in society allows them to challenge both the illiberal attitudes professed by the military and its backers, and the moderately liberal attitudes held by Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD supporters.Less

It Is Not Power That Corrupts But Fear”: Aung San Suu Kyi 1991

Antoinette Fouque and Jean-Joseph Goux

Sylvina Boissonnas (ed.)

in There Are Two Sexes: Essays in Feminology

This chapter talks about Aung San Suu Kyi, who was a political prisoner in Burma after June 1989. Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, was, at the time of writing, under house ... More

This chapter talks about Aung San Suu Kyi, who was a political prisoner in Burma after June 1989. Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, was, at the time of writing, under house arrest. She was kept in absolute solitary confinement in Burma. She remained so faithful to her primary identity, to the values and language of her country, that she refused to relinquish her Burmese citizenship and passport and, despite her marriage to Michael Aris, an Englishman, only aspired to be worthy of her father's painful legacy. In her speech, “Freedom from Fear,” Aung San Suu Kyi exposes unequivocally the universal nature of fear, in Burma and elsewhere. “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” The daily asceticism, the daily ordeals, the courage and wisdom that triumph over this fear and this destructive madness: these are the nonviolent gifts Aung San Suu Kyi has given the world.Less

Change from the top: Than Shwe to Thein Sein

Richard Cockett

in Blood, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma

This chapter discusses the government reform process implemented during the early 1990s. This political transition was a top-down approach, initiated and implemented by the regime—particularly by ... More

This chapter discusses the government reform process implemented during the early 1990s. This political transition was a top-down approach, initiated and implemented by the regime—particularly by Than Shwe's successor, President Thein Sein, along with the vital participation of Aung San Suu Kyi in the latter stages of reform. The chapter then outlines the previous economic and political structures and how they were thus reformed. There were a number of officials alongside Thein Sein who were also committed to the reform process, and their actions likewise contributed to political change in the government's structure. However, the chapter also notes that there are those who continue to oppose the reforms, thus limiting the extent of changes that can be achieved.Less

Voices: Heroes, Martyrs, Witnesses and Experts

Alison Brysk

in Speaking Rights to Power: Constructing Political Will

This chapter analyzes the role of charismatic and expert voice in articulating the message of human rights campaigns. Both collective and individual voice are considered. The chapter profiles the ... More

This chapter analyzes the role of charismatic and expert voice in articulating the message of human rights campaigns. Both collective and individual voice are considered. The chapter profiles the heroic presence of Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Argentina's Mothers of the Disappeared. It discusses Doctors Without Borders, Amartya Sen, and Paul Farmer as witnesses and experts. These leaders are contrasted with insufficient use of voice in American campaigns against the death penalty.Less

Introduction: Democratization from Above?

Renaud Egreteau

in Caretaking Democratization: The Military and Political Change in Myanmar

This section introduces the book’s main discussion on the new form of rule and governance which has taken shape in post-junta Myanmar in the first half of the 2010s. Reviewing the recent scholarship ... More

This section introduces the book’s main discussion on the new form of rule and governance which has taken shape in post-junta Myanmar in the first half of the 2010s. Reviewing the recent scholarship on Myanmar’s ongoing transition, it argues that the armed forces, or Tatmadaw, have appeared as increasingly striving to shift their involvement in politics toward a less direct approach, tolerating relative criticism and opposition, granting civilians a greater role in conducting state business, while at the same time still holding on to numerous preserves and “caretaking” most of Myanmar’s political process. The introduction asks whether the transition as was “pacted” after the 2010 general elections, by a military institution in position of strength, can be consolidated further, given the myriad of challenges Myanmar’s polity and society continue to face.Less

Evolving Institutions and Declining Chinese Influence in Myanmar

Daniel C. O'Neill

in Dividing ASEAN and Conquering the South China Sea: China's Financial Power Projection

This chapter examines the effects of the evolution of political institutions in Myanmar on Sino-Burmese relations. The chapter argues that this case stands as particularly powerful evidence for the ... More

This chapter examines the effects of the evolution of political institutions in Myanmar on Sino-Burmese relations. The chapter argues that this case stands as particularly powerful evidence for the book’s thesis; as the Burmese regime liberalized, opposition to Chinese influence, previously boiling under a lid of authoritarianism, bubbled to the surface. This has resulted in a weakening of the bonds between governments that had long been “blood brothers.” The chapter shows that under the ruling SPDC, the Chinese could rely on close government-to-government ties to gain support on important issues, such as China’s South China Sea claims, and Chinese firms could rely on politically-connected Burmese “cronies” to secure approval for and protection of their investments. Political reforms beginning in 2011 that witnessed the end to decades-long military rule saw a concomitant plunge in Chinese investment in Myanmar and delays and even cancellations of major projects by Chinese SOEs in Myanmar, such as the Letpadaung Copper Mine and the Myitsone Hydropower Project. The chapter concludes that the Myanmar case illustrates that the evolution of the political “rules of the game” in China’s bilateral partner are a form of political risk for China and its firms.Less

Complexities, Misconceptions, and Context

Anthony Ware and Costas Laoutides

in Myanmar's 'Rohingya' Conflict

This chapter introduces the complexity of Myanmar’s ‘Rohingya’ conflict, and address a series of misconceptions widely held about it in the international community. It discusses the scale of recent ... More

This chapter introduces the complexity of Myanmar’s ‘Rohingya’ conflict, and address a series of misconceptions widely held about it in the international community. It discusses the scale of recent violence, extent of displacement and degree of international condemnation, including discussion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s failure to adequately address the conflict. It also expresses serious concern about international advocacy campaigns, arguing many undermine any chance of cooperation by the very actors who are most required to implement any solution. The chapter then deals with three misconceptions about the conflict in some detail, arguing that the conflict is not recent, not merely oppression of a despised ethnoreligious minority, and not about denial of citizenship and statelessness per se. Instead, it notes profound social cleavages dating back more than a century, with multiple bouts of devastating violence. It identifies the conflict as tripartite, between the Burman-led state, local ethnic Rakhine and the ‘Rohingya’. And it argues that citizenship and statelessness is a by-product of a deeper power struggle over Myanmar polity and political power. The chapter concludes with an introduction to the geographical, historical, economic and socio-political context.Less

Conclusion

Federica Carugati

in Creating a Constitution: Law, Democracy, and Growth in Ancient Athens

This chapter summarizes the main findings and discusses how the theory developed on creating a constitution can be productively applied to reflect on the constitution-making processes today. It ... More

This chapter summarizes the main findings and discusses how the theory developed on creating a constitution can be productively applied to reflect on the constitution-making processes today. It extracts some preliminary lessons from the Athenian constitution-making with the case of Myanmar. The victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy in the 2015 election marked an important step toward peace and democratization in Myanmar. Yet, both the transition and the pacification of the country hang in the balance. The Rohingya crisis is one of many obstacles on Myanmar's road to peace and stability. The chapter also argues that another one Myanmar's obstacles is the 2008 constitution, because of the power that it bestows on Myanmar's armed forces, and because of the absence of a meaningful engagement with ethnic demands. Constitutional reforms are high on Aung San Suu Kyi's agenda—but direct action has proved ineffective. Negotiations have since then taken the form of a political dialogue.Less

Burma’s Struggle for Democracy and Human Rights before 1988

John G. Dale

in Free Burma: Transnational Legal Action and Corporate Accountability

This chapter looks at the history of the Myanmar state’s struggle for democracy and human rights. The country’s initial fears of neocolonization and social disintegration led to an aversion to ... More

This chapter looks at the history of the Myanmar state’s struggle for democracy and human rights. The country’s initial fears of neocolonization and social disintegration led to an aversion to democracy and human rights, prompting its adoption of discourses on authoritarian developmentalism and cultural relativism. The beginning of Burma’s struggle for democracy and human rights can be associated with Aung San Suu Kyi, who also became the face and symbolic leader of its democratic movement. During the Cold War, Burmese civilian government leaders approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and played a lead role in promoting democracy and human rights around the world, advocating an end to postwar Western and Soviet colonization and imperialism, as well as an alternative vision of global development.Less

The Problems and Promise of Karma from an Engaged Buddhist Perspective

Sallie B. King

in A Mirror Is for Reflection: Understanding Buddhist Ethics

This essay examines the role of karma in Engaged Buddhist thought and action. It discusses (1) ways in which Engaged Buddhists make use of karma; (2) ways in which karma is a problem for Engaged ... More

This essay examines the role of karma in Engaged Buddhist thought and action. It discusses (1) ways in which Engaged Buddhists make use of karma; (2) ways in which karma is a problem for Engaged Buddhism; and (3) ways in which Engaged Buddhists have attempted to overcome the difficulties associated with traditional ideas about karma. Issues surrounding karma addressed by Engaged Buddhists include the stigmatization of dalits, women, and the disabled; the promotion of fatalism and passivity; individual and social responsibility; karma and justice; karma and social change; karma and compassion. Engaged Buddhist leaders discussed include B. R. Ambedkar, Aung San Suu Kyi, Sulak Sivaraksa, and Thich Nhat Hanh. The paper concludes that there are many successful ways that Engaged Buddhists have addressed difficulties associated with karma and specifies other ways that could be considered in addition.Less