Burmese Tragedy’s Philosophical Roots

Burmese Tragedy’s Philosophical Roots by Richard Cooper

Compassionate, concerned people are watching the disturbing and thrilling events in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.  As pro-democracy protesters, sparked by the economic hardships endured by the people under the military dictatorship, face repression they have caught the attention of the world community.

Missing from the reportage of major Western media outlets such as the New York Times  and BBC News, has been the philosophical identification of the military dictatorship, namely the Burmese way to socialism, which is the state’s official ideology.

Take a look at http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/constmyanmar.html which reprints the constitution.  It proclaims with typical dictatorial bombast:

"

The Burma Socialist Programme Party has drafted the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, in accordance with the wishes of the people, after extensive and thorough discussions with them, for the purpose of building a peaceful and prosperous socialist society to which the working people of the national races have long aspired.

We, the working people, firmly resolved that we shall-

• faithfully follow the leadership of the Burma Socialist Programme Party,
• build a socialist economic system by the Burmese Way to Socialism, for the country to be peaceful and prosperous, opposing all pernicious systems characterized by exploitation of man by man, and of one national race by another, with a view to promoting justice and goodwill among the people, and to freeing them from apathy and callousness, ignorance, backwardness and want of opportunity,
• build a socialist democratic social order which will afford an opportunity to the people to shape their own destiny, by the Burmese Way to Socialism,
• live forever in harmony unity and racial equality sharing joys and sorrows through weal and woe in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma,

• efficiently perform all duties and fulfil all obligations in the interest of the State and for the cause of Socialism while enjoying the democratic rights and personal rights and freedom bestowed by this Constitution, …"

  Not suprisingly, the Chinese Communist regime is the Burmese military’s closest ally.

  Why does the Western mainstream media fail to mention the "Burmese way of socialism"? 

  Are they covering for the murderous, hypocritical, kleptocratic nature of regimes such as Hugo Chavez in Venezuela?  Is it media bias?  Is it laziness? Is it ignorance? You be the judge.

  Is it any suprise that Russia and China have backed the Burmese military junta?

  In the meantime, let us salute the courage of the Buddhist monks who confront the armed lackeys of socialism with empty begging bowls.