Posted by
Michael on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:49:49 PM
Recent events sparked some personal interest in the country of Burma, and quick research revealed something pretty important:
Democratic rule ended in 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup d'état. He
ruled for nearly 26 years and pursued policies under the rubric of the
Burmese Way to Socialism. Between 1962 and 1974, Burma was ruled by a
Revolutionary Council headed by the general, and almost all aspects of
society (business, media, production) were nationalized or brought
under government control (including the Boy Scouts).[27] In an
effort to consolidate power, General Ne Win and many top generals
resigned from the military and took civilian posts and, from 1974,
instituted elections in a one party system. Between 1974 and 1988,
Burma was effectively ruled by General Ne Win through the Burma
Socialist Programme Party (BSPP).[28]
There seems
to be a common sequence of events that occurs when socialism is
enforced on a people, yet many seem to cheerlead as the same tragic
cycle initiates itself again and again. Sigh.