Burma's movement to Democracy?

[Mitch]

Well, let's get the first discussion/debate (whatever it will become) going:

I'm sure all of you have heard about the monks attempting to peacefully overthrow the Military Junta in Burma (Myanmar).
What do you think will happen in the next year?
I feel optimistic that the government will be overthrown, however, this will not lead to instantaneous democracy. Like in many countries slowly beginning to become democratic there is always much corruption. Venezuela is a good example; that country is almost too socialist and becoming communist once again.

[domainer50]

It depends on whether or not extreme violence is used. I would hope not, however it seems that now a days the only way to solve these things is to use violence. I would assume that within a year the monks will make no progress without violence. It simply wont work.

[Mitch]

I think the solution to the problem is international aid and intervention, DEMOCRATICALLY.

[Locke]

I think that is somewhat optimistic, for the Junta will almost definitely increase their control over the population.
I think, however, than in a reasonable span of time (say, maybe a half-decade) popular dissent will prevail.
If they were to achieve a revolution in the short term, corporate involvement in that country would have to stop.

[MM357]

We all want to be good and have some problems .. so are the people in undemocratic countries [like Egypt and most Arabic countries]

People here want their country to be good but they also want to live [not all people here realize that the will live much more well if they are free]. so they just let the government kill them slowly.

I think Burma is better than us [Egypt] now as its people are trying, while we are sleeping. So the people of Burma will surely get a good result, even if not total political freedom [as I like to call it], but at least they will be in a better situation.

[Cattraknoff]

One major problem is that they wish to overthrow one flawed system, and replace it with another flawed system. Granted, democracies have more trouble committing genocide than a dictatorship, but the rights of the people are unlikely to improve all that much. Unless of course they can do it on their own, but if the west is "forced" to intervene, chances are we will do it for our own interests (profit) rather than out of a desire to help the people of Burma.

[ShadyPolitics]

The people of Burma don't wish for democracy, they wish for theocracy. Rebels use democracy to influence and pressure the western world to overthrow their government and replace it with religious rule. It is simply as that. Religion is exactly what causes these rebels and western hemisphere should not intervene diplomatically or militarily.

[Mitch]

ShadyPolitics: though you may be right. You have one flaw in that argument. They're Buddhist! Buddhism is a way of life and there is not much that a Buddhist theocracy can do to anyone.

[eharvester]

Well, let's get the first discussion/debate (whatever it will become) going:

I'm sure all of you have heard about the monks attempting to peacefully overthrow the Military Junta in Burma (Myanmar).
What do you think will happen in the next year?
I feel optimistic that the government will be overthrown, however, this will not lead to instantaneous democracy. Like in many countries slowly beginning to become democratic there is always much corruption. Venezuela is a good example; that country is almost too socialist and becoming communist once again.

Let's just hope it won't lead to cronyism :) What they need is minarchism; small government, property rights, maximum personally liberties. I'm not sure what will happen.

[Cattraknoff]

Let's just hope it won't lead to cronyism :) What they need is minarchism; small government, property rights, maximum personally liberties. I'm not sure what will happen.

With a small government corporations will own the country inside of a week, maybe two.

[Locke]

The people of Burma don't wish for democracy, they wish for theocracy. Rebels use democracy to influence and pressure the western world to overthrow their government and replace it with religious rule. It is simply as that. Religion is exactly what causes these rebels and western hemisphere should not intervene diplomatically or militarily.

ShadyPolitics, if you had bothered to read up on Buddhism at all, you would be aware that it a strictly self-disciplinarian regime, unfettered by Deities or threats of "hell". It really cannot in any way be distorted to someone's personal gain.

[Locke]

Let's just hope it won't lead to cronyism What they need is minarchism; small government, property rights, maximum personally liberties. I'm not sure what will happen.
With a small government corporations will own the country inside of a week, maybe two.
I have to say, it's great to at last have some conflicting viewpoints on this site.

[brookes]

I think Burma is on the path of adapting democracy with military playing an important role. Burma will not become a failed democracy like Venezuela. Burma is having a big and most successful democracy, India as its neighbor. They can learn from India's experience. China and India are having a major role to play to pursue the military rulers in Burma to accept democracy.

[Cattraknoff]

I think Burma is on the path of adapting democracy with military playing an important role. Burma will not become a failed democracy like Venezuela. Burma is having a big and most successful democracy, India as its neighbor. They can learn from India's experience. China and India are having a major role to play to pursue the military rulers in Burma to accept democracy.

Because China is a shining example for democracies everywhere.

[Mitch]

China is far from democracy, the population even said they don't even want it.
China is a capitalistic dictatorship, they don't want Burma to become a democracy, they want them to become more like them.

[Locke]

Venezuela? Failed democracy? However maniacal their leader is, the fact that they were able to oppose his plans to alter the constitution is proof that democracy is far more vibrant in that country than any other observable.

[lihen]

Benazir Butto followed foot steps of her father and tried to bring democracy back in the country. But anti-democratic groups assasinated her so that they can enjoy their powers. Same happened with bhutto's father, he too was assasinated for the same reason....
Bhutto Had become status of Democracy in and out of pakistan

[Locke]

Bhutto was admittedly semi-democratic, but she was no Messiah.