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I3-Burma (Political Threats ((In 1975 and 1976, riots by students and…
I3-Burma
Political Threats
In 1975 and 1976, riots by students and workers broke out in the urban areas in protest agst corruption and mismanagement amg govt officials that resulted in deteriorating economic conditions. (mass movements agst military govt)
The economic crisis sparked challenges to the legitimacy of the regime, in the form of civil unrest from the spring of 1988.
Challenges to political power from political parties such as the National League for Democracy (NLD), which defied the junta and played politics outside safe parameters.
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Throughout the period leading up to the 1990 elections, the NLD challenged SLORC (State Council for the Restoration of Law and Order).
Strategies
Depoliticization of Burmese society.
- Adoption of a new constitution in 1974 tt enshrined the one-party state under the BSPP (Burmese Social Programme Party) ruled by Ne Win and creation of a new legislature with only 1 chamber, the People’s Assembly (democratic institutions), which served as a rubber stamp for military rule but not as a genuine representative body.
-> to provide a veneer of formality and legitimacy to the state.
- Elections were used to affirm military govt’s power such as 1990 elections.
- State ideology of Burmese Way to Socialism to socialise ppl towards the norms of the state.
In 1964, BSPP made the sole legal party and all pol. opposition declared illegal by SLORC. - Because of being condemned for measures being too brutal in 1988, SLORC permitted elections in 1990. However, many were de-registered, leaving only 10 political parties.
Military suppression of political opposition—student protests in 1970s and 1980s.
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=> Suppressed political opposition till 1980s/1990s but led to the 8888 Uprising, 1990 elections and rise of the NLD
Separatist Threats
Strategies
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While the military has proven successful in preserving the territorial integrity of the Burmese state and securing reprieve from political violence, they have not been able to create unity w/in the state.
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Economic threats
Strategies
- Adoption of the Socialist economic model
- Nationalisation of land and industries to reduce foreign domination (nationalist regime)
- Exploitation of natural resources such as oil
=>Economic mismanagement such as replacing existing currency with paper notes (which caused prices to spiral--> hyperinflation), isolationism and corruption created further challenges to legitimacy of the military regime
• People would rather sell the rice they grew on the black market for higher prices cos state offered lower
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