Myanmar’s democratization has been described as one of the most remarkable political openings of the last half decade outside of the political changes in the Arab world. After nearly 50 years of military rule, President Thein Sein has introduced far reaching political reforms that have transformed the long term military regime. These reforms culminated in the historic November 8, 2015 elections and brought a democratic regime under the informal leadership of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi into power. What is the role of the military in this process? How can we explain the military’s behavior during the last half-decade? The lecture demonstrates that the military is guarding the political system from a position of strength. Moreover, the challenges for the new democratic government to establish a civilian control over the military in the midst of a rapidly changing state will be discussed.

Montag den 7. November 2016
Zeit: 18 –20 Uhr
Ort: Raum 120
Universität Hamburg
Asien-Afrika Institut
Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, Flügel Ost