Legitimacy Under Military Rule: Burma
Author(s)
McCarthy, Stephen
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2010
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Burma has been under direct or indirect military rule for almost half a century. This article blends historical and thematic examinations of the sources of legitimacy relied upon by the Burmese armed forces during this time. These include their role in the battle against ethnic separatist and communist insurgencies, the promotion and defense of Buddhism, the reinvigoration of monarchical traditions, and their claims to economic stewardship and regional integration. Civil unrest on a number of occasions has triggered a reversion to the use of force, followed by the offering of democratic concessions. Yet the generals ...
View more >Burma has been under direct or indirect military rule for almost half a century. This article blends historical and thematic examinations of the sources of legitimacy relied upon by the Burmese armed forces during this time. These include their role in the battle against ethnic separatist and communist insurgencies, the promotion and defense of Buddhism, the reinvigoration of monarchical traditions, and their claims to economic stewardship and regional integration. Civil unrest on a number of occasions has triggered a reversion to the use of force, followed by the offering of democratic concessions. Yet the generals continue to appeal to nationalism while subverting foreign influences and delegitimizing their opposition. Despite calls for a Burmese form of "disciplined democracy," the country's need for unity, stability, and independence will likely remain core arguments for a strong central government in the future, demanding the continued presence of the military.
View less >
View more >Burma has been under direct or indirect military rule for almost half a century. This article blends historical and thematic examinations of the sources of legitimacy relied upon by the Burmese armed forces during this time. These include their role in the battle against ethnic separatist and communist insurgencies, the promotion and defense of Buddhism, the reinvigoration of monarchical traditions, and their claims to economic stewardship and regional integration. Civil unrest on a number of occasions has triggered a reversion to the use of force, followed by the offering of democratic concessions. Yet the generals continue to appeal to nationalism while subverting foreign influences and delegitimizing their opposition. Despite calls for a Burmese form of "disciplined democracy," the country's need for unity, stability, and independence will likely remain core arguments for a strong central government in the future, demanding the continued presence of the military.
View less >
Journal Title
Politics & Policy
Volume
38
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2010 The Policy Studies Organization. Published by Wiley-Blackwell. Self-archiving of manuscripts in institutional repositories is not yet supported by The Policy Studies Organization. Please refer to the journal link for access to the definitive, published version or contact the author for more information.
Subject
Government and Politics of Asia and the Pacific
Policy and Administration
Political Science