Description

A decade ago, Burma was full of light and hope. Today, it has descended into darkness and despair. The once promising political and opening up of the country has been set back, possibly for a long time. How did this happen?
Why? Many outside observers are surprised by the developments, but it was predictable. For those watching Burma the February 2021 coup was in the making for some time. Its seeds were planted in the constitution, which created false expectations on both the military and the civilian parties that both sides are going to emerge as long-term winners. The political leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, the determination of her supporters to gain absolute control of the country at the expense of the military, and the over-dependence on her by her party without a succession plan, were other contributing factors. The international community, including ASEAN, was blindsided by short-term business considerations.

About the Author

Amitav Acharya is a distinguished professor and the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance, School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC. His major works on Southeast Asia include: The Quest for Identity: International Relations of Southeast Asia (Oxford, 2000); Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problems of Regional Order, 3 edns. (Routledge, 2001, 2002, 2014), Whose Ideas Matter: Agency and Power in Asian Regionalism (Cornell, 2009) etc.

 

• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.34 x 2.11 x 21.59 cm