79 research outputs found
Burma's Transition to "Disciplined Democracy": Abdication or Institutionalization of Military Rule?
Full text linkDirect military rule has become rare in world politics. Today, most military regimes have either given way to some form of democracy or been transformed into another form of authoritarianism. This article formulates an analytical framework for the detachment of militaries from politics and identifies positive and negative factors for a withdrawal. It then applies this framework to the case of Burma/Myanmar, which is an example of deeply entrenched military rule. It is argued that the retreat from direct rule has brought with it a further institutionalization of military rule in politics, since the military was able to safeguard its interests and design the new electoral authoritarian regime according to its own purposes. The article identifies the internal dynamics within the military regime as a prime motive for a reform of the military regime. Although the external environment has completely changed over the last two decades, this had only a minor impact on military politics. The opposition could not profit from the regime’s factionalization and external sanctions and pressure have been undermined by Asian engagement.military regime, civilian control, external influences, internal influences, competitive authoritarianism, Burma/Myanmar
Im Gespräch mit Marco Bünte
Full text linkDr. Marco Bünte, geboren 1970, ist wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter für die Politik Südostasiens am GIGA Institut für Asien-Studien in Hamburg und Mitherausgeber des Journal of Current Southeast Asian Aff airs (früher Südostasien aktuell). Seine Forschungsschwerpunkte sind Entwicklungen von Demokratisierung, Dezentralisierung und politischen Konfl ikten, u.a. in Thailand, Indonesien und Myanmar
National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: The failure to protect human rights in Myanmar
No full textBünte, Marco. “National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: The failure to protect human rights in Myanmar”. CRISEA European Policy Brief, May 2020. http://crisea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CRISEA-POLICY-BRIEF-NHRI-Myanmar-7.5.pd
The phased suspension of the EU’s targeted sanctions against Myanmar is a test case for future sanction regimes
No full textIn April 2012, the European Union (EU) suspended its sanctions against Myanmar in response to a series of domestic political reforms that have been enacted since Thein Sein became the new president in March 2011. Marco Bünte and Clara Portela detail the beginning of Myanmar’s reforms, the end of EU sanctions and the lessons for future EU sanction regimes
Perilous Presidentialism or Precarious Power-Sharing? Hybrid Regime Dynamics in Myanmar
Full text linkAlthough Myanmar's transition from military rule has been thoroughly studied, research into the evolving presidential system is lacking. This article maps Myanmar's unique hybrid form of presidentialism and characterises executive-legislative relations between 2012 and 2017. It not only examines institutions themselves but also explores how actors within them have acted and shifted strategically. It is argued that elite-behaviour determines how institutions work. Myanmar's 2008 constitution imposed by the military established a hybrid presidential system with a formally powerful president. The first phase under President Thein Sein saw competitive yet cooperative executive-legislative relations between President Thein Sein and the ambitious House Speaker Shwe Mann, both members of the former military regime. However, this power-sharing arrangement of former members of the military regime became increasingly fragile with the rise of Aung San Suu Kyi and her attempt to change the 2008 constitution. After the election victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the passage of the state counsellor law, a de facto semi-presidential system was established – Burmese style. Since then, the frontline has been between the civilian and military parts of the administration
Uncivil Society and Democracy's Fate in Southeast Asia: Democratic Breakdown in Thailand, Increasing Illiberalism and Ethnic Cleansing in Myanmar
Full text linkCivil society scholarship has repeatedly warned of the dangers of uncivil society for young democracies. However, it remains unclear when and how uncivil society becomes an instrument of democratic backsliding. Using Thailand and Myanmar as its case studies, the article discusses the origins, ideology, and impact of several uncivil society groups, deepening our knowledge on the latter's role in democratic backsliding/breakdown. It argues that uncivil society can act as useful resource for conservative elites seeking to derail democratisation processes. Particularly in times of a perceived or manufactured national crisis, uncivil society successfully pursues illiberal agendas – often in tandem with established elites of the former regime. Also highlighted are the core mechanisms through which uncivil society leads to democratic backsliding/breakdown, as well as the long-term effects these movements have on the erosion of social trust and civility and the poisoning of inter-class or inter-religious relations
Racial politics and imperatives and the constitutional special position of the indigenous Malays in a new society: Asserting interests and the non-contestation of rights in Singapore’s communitarian constitutionalism
No full textBurma's Transition to "Disciplined Democracy": Abdication or Institutionalization of Military Rule?
Full text linkDirect military rule has become rare in world politics. Today, most military regimes have either given way to some form of democracy or been transformed into another form of authoritarianism. This article formulates an analytical framework for the detachment of militaries from politics and identifies positive and negative factors for a withdrawal. It then applies this framework to the case of Burma/Myanmar, which is an example of deeply entrenched military rule. It is argued that the retreat from direct rule has brought with it a further institutionalization of military rule in politics, since the military was able to safeguard its interests and design the new electoral authoritarian regime according to its own purposes. The article identifies the internal dynamics within the military regime as a prime motive for a reform of the military regime. Although the external environment has completely changed over the last two decades, this had only a minor impact on military politics. The opposition could not profit from the regime's factionalization and external sanctions and pressure have been undermined by Asian engagement
Putsch in Thailand: Rückkehr des Militärs in die Politik?
Full text link"Am 19. September putschte das thailändische Militär gegen Premierminister Thaksin Shinawatra. Damit kehren die Streitkräfte nach 15 Jahren ziviler Herrschaft auf die politische Bühne zurück, von der sie nach den Massenprotesten in Bangkok im Mai 1992 abgetreten waren. Der Militärputsch wurde von königstreuen Militärs durchgeführt, die die Einheit des Landes und die Monarchie gefährdet sahen. Der König hat den Putsch nachträglich legitimiert und durch den Kronrat und den Kronratsvorsitzenden aktiv mit gestaltet. Der Militärputsch ist ein Rückschlag für die Demokratie. Den schwachen parlamentarischen Institutionen wurde keine Zeit gegeben, sich zu entwickeln. Die Rückkehr des Militärs in die Politik hat ihre Ursachen in der mangelnden Professionalisierung des Militärs. Unter Thaksin ist es zu einer Repolitisierung des Militärs gekommen. Thaksin versuchte verstärkt, hohe Posten mit Gefolgsleuten zu besetzen. Darüber hinaus haben verschiedene Entwicklungen zu einer 'Demütigung' des Militärs geführt und dessen Korpsgeist herausgefordert. Die Militärregierung steht nun vor der Herausforderung, die politischen und wirtschaftlichen Netzwerke Thaksins zerstören und gleichzeitig politische Reformen einleiten zu müssen. Sollte die Zivilgesellschaft in Bangkok zu der Auffassung gelangen, dass es dem Militär nur darum geht, seine Macht zu festigen, ist mit weit reichenden Demonstrationen gegen das neue Regime zu rechnen." (Autorenreferat
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