Renaud Egreteau
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190620967
- eISBN:
- 9780190686468
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190620967.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, Asian Politics
The chapter argues that the main policy actor at the core of the transitional process remains Myanmar’s secretive military institution. It was the armed forces and its uncontested leadership that let ...
More
The chapter argues that the main policy actor at the core of the transitional process remains Myanmar’s secretive military institution. It was the armed forces and its uncontested leadership that let the “opening” outstretch soon after the 2010 elections, by officially disbanding the “junta” and morphing into a hybrid “transit regime”. In a sense, the Tatmadaw stood, as in 1960 and 1974, as a “caretaker” of the transition. Yet, even if the partial disengagement of the armed forces from politics observed after 2011 had carefully been planned by the military leadership, an institutional and political “elite pact” was needed regardless, and sought after by several key elite groups, to pursue the initial procedural transition.Less
The chapter argues that the main policy actor at the core of the transitional process remains Myanmar’s secretive military institution. It was the armed forces and its uncontested leadership that let the “opening” outstretch soon after the 2010 elections, by officially disbanding the “junta” and morphing into a hybrid “transit regime”. In a sense, the Tatmadaw stood, as in 1960 and 1974, as a “caretaker” of the transition. Yet, even if the partial disengagement of the armed forces from politics observed after 2011 had carefully been planned by the military leadership, an institutional and political “elite pact” was needed regardless, and sought after by several key elite groups, to pursue the initial procedural transition.
Renaud Egreteau
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190620967
- eISBN:
- 9780190686468
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190620967.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Asian Politics
This book examines the political landscape that followed the 2010 elections in Myanmar and the subsequent transition from direct military rule to a semi-civilian, ‘hybrid’ regime. Striking political, ...
More
This book examines the political landscape that followed the 2010 elections in Myanmar and the subsequent transition from direct military rule to a semi-civilian, ‘hybrid’ regime. Striking political, social, and economic transformations have indeed taken place in the long-isolated country since the military junta disbanded in March 2011. To better construe – and question – what has routinely been labelled a ‘Burmese Spring’, the book examines the reasons behind the ongoing political transition, as well as the role of the Burmese armed forces in the process. The book draws on in-depth interviews with Burmese political actors, party leaders, parliamentarians, active and retired army officers. It also takes its cue from comparative scholarship on civil-military relations and post-authoritarian politics, looking at the ‘praetorian’ logic to explain the transitional moment. Myanmar’s road to democratic change is, however, paved with obstacles. As the book suggests, the continuing military intervention in domestic politics, the resilience of bureaucratic, economic and political clientelism at all levels of society, the towering presence of Aung San Suu Kyi, the shadowy influence of regional and global powers, and the enduring concerns about interethnic and interreligious relations, all are strong reminders of the series of elemental conundrums which Myanmar will have to deal with in order to achieve democratization, sustainable development and peace.Less
This book examines the political landscape that followed the 2010 elections in Myanmar and the subsequent transition from direct military rule to a semi-civilian, ‘hybrid’ regime. Striking political, social, and economic transformations have indeed taken place in the long-isolated country since the military junta disbanded in March 2011. To better construe – and question – what has routinely been labelled a ‘Burmese Spring’, the book examines the reasons behind the ongoing political transition, as well as the role of the Burmese armed forces in the process. The book draws on in-depth interviews with Burmese political actors, party leaders, parliamentarians, active and retired army officers. It also takes its cue from comparative scholarship on civil-military relations and post-authoritarian politics, looking at the ‘praetorian’ logic to explain the transitional moment. Myanmar’s road to democratic change is, however, paved with obstacles. As the book suggests, the continuing military intervention in domestic politics, the resilience of bureaucratic, economic and political clientelism at all levels of society, the towering presence of Aung San Suu Kyi, the shadowy influence of regional and global powers, and the enduring concerns about interethnic and interreligious relations, all are strong reminders of the series of elemental conundrums which Myanmar will have to deal with in order to achieve democratization, sustainable development and peace.
Renaud Egreteau
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190620967
- eISBN:
- 9780190686468
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190620967.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Asian Politics
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
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.
