Today's most famous examples of reclusive states with hard handed dictators are most probably Zimbabwe and North Korea, while others would add Cuba to the list (personally I think Cuba and Castro in no way compare to the brutality found in Mugabe and Kim Jong Il's respective nations). Less famous garrison states include Turkmenistan and Myanmar. It is Myanmar that beckons attention in this article.
Few people know more about Myanmar than that it is ruled by the military, it used to be called Burma, and Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi is held in house arrest. As with every country, there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye, but Myanmar's recent decision to abruptly move their capital to a city that didn't even exist two years ago, particularly merits special attention. To be sure, the country has undergone a tremendous amount of changes in her long history.
On 4 January 1948, Myanmar gained independence and was named the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister. After a period of relative stability, the country found itself unable to remain Democratic and experienced repeated name changes. In 1962 Democratic rule was ended with a military coup d'état, followed by a name change to the “Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma” in 1974, another coup d'état in 1988 by General Saw Maung, a name change back to the "Union of Burma" the same year and it was finally renamed the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989.
Free elections were held the following year, in 1990 and were decidedly won by Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The military junta (known as the "State Law and Order Restoration Council," or SLORC) refused to accept the result, however, nullifying it and seizing power. They later changed their official name official name to the "State Peace and Development Council" (SPDC) in 1992, remaining in power until today. The country has known two rulers since the military junta seized power by force in 1990: General Saw Maung and current leader, Senior General Than Shwe.
Until March 27 of this year, the capital of Myanmar was Yangon. As can be expected based on the country's history, Yangon was not always known by that name. The old name, Rangoon, was officially changed in 1989 to Yangon. Officially, the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, was proclaimed on 6 November, 2005, but it was not named or shown to the outside world until March 27 of this year. Naypyidaw lies 3 kilometers west of Pyinmana and approximately 460 kilometers north of Yangon. It translates to the "abode/city of the kings" and, judging by the first pictures of the city, it certainly appears to befit kings.
According to Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, 924,608 people now live in the 7,000 square kilometres that has become Naypyidaw, in central Myanmar. The city is expected to be competed in a year, with all the buildings constructed, the green flourishing and road and rail links improved. The city is divided into three zones; one for the military, one for government administration, and one for residences.
While the reason for moving the capital remains unclear (perhaps it is nothing more than following an old tradition where ancient Burmese rulers used to dismantle the capital of their predecessor and build a new one meant to outshine all those that came before), it appears certain that it will be an economic failure. For one, all government employees were forced to move to Naypyidaw a year and a half ago. The countless apartments are being developed for these workers, who now find themselves with reliable water and electricity supply and newly paved roads - all rarities in the impoverished nation. Furthermore, government officials have seen a major increase in their salaries, with some top-ranked officials seeing their salary soar more than 1,000%, according to the BBC. This might sound nice, but seeing that there is no real economic shift or progress in the country and thus no solid basis for funding this project, it will surely lead to disillusionment among the people and possible economic disaster. Resentment might also increase among the populace, as those who are not government officials will be left with no benefit and increased inequality. The luxury cars and uniformed men on motorcycles in the "Military Zone" of the new capital, where a fortress-like complex houses Myanmar's leader, won't help either.
Talk from the military remains highly anti-Western, with blame for most everything being laid on imperial powers on a daily basis. Simultaneously, however, talk of Democracy surfaces occasionally, as it did in the speech of Senior General Than Shwe at the Armed Forces Day parade. Than Shwe said "The people, together with the military must also strive hard to build a modern, developed state where disciplined democracy flourishes." So far, this kind of talk has been little more than empty words. Unless the government truly changes its ways and allows space for proper business initiatives and investment, not only is Naypyidaw doomed, but the country as a whole stands little chance of rebounding.
For pictures of the new capital, Naypyidaw, have a look at the following link:
Few people know more about Myanmar than that it is ruled by the military, it used to be called Burma, and Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi is held in house arrest. As with every country, there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye, but Myanmar's recent decision to abruptly move their capital to a city that didn't even exist two years ago, particularly merits special attention. To be sure, the country has undergone a tremendous amount of changes in her long history.
On 4 January 1948, Myanmar gained independence and was named the Union of Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U Nu as its first Prime Minister. After a period of relative stability, the country found itself unable to remain Democratic and experienced repeated name changes. In 1962 Democratic rule was ended with a military coup d'état, followed by a name change to the “Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma” in 1974, another coup d'état in 1988 by General Saw Maung, a name change back to the "Union of Burma" the same year and it was finally renamed the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989.
Free elections were held the following year, in 1990 and were decidedly won by Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The military junta (known as the "State Law and Order Restoration Council," or SLORC) refused to accept the result, however, nullifying it and seizing power. They later changed their official name official name to the "State Peace and Development Council" (SPDC) in 1992, remaining in power until today. The country has known two rulers since the military junta seized power by force in 1990: General Saw Maung and current leader, Senior General Than Shwe.
Until March 27 of this year, the capital of Myanmar was Yangon. As can be expected based on the country's history, Yangon was not always known by that name. The old name, Rangoon, was officially changed in 1989 to Yangon. Officially, the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, was proclaimed on 6 November, 2005, but it was not named or shown to the outside world until March 27 of this year. Naypyidaw lies 3 kilometers west of Pyinmana and approximately 460 kilometers north of Yangon. It translates to the "abode/city of the kings" and, judging by the first pictures of the city, it certainly appears to befit kings.
According to Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, 924,608 people now live in the 7,000 square kilometres that has become Naypyidaw, in central Myanmar. The city is expected to be competed in a year, with all the buildings constructed, the green flourishing and road and rail links improved. The city is divided into three zones; one for the military, one for government administration, and one for residences.
While the reason for moving the capital remains unclear (perhaps it is nothing more than following an old tradition where ancient Burmese rulers used to dismantle the capital of their predecessor and build a new one meant to outshine all those that came before), it appears certain that it will be an economic failure. For one, all government employees were forced to move to Naypyidaw a year and a half ago. The countless apartments are being developed for these workers, who now find themselves with reliable water and electricity supply and newly paved roads - all rarities in the impoverished nation. Furthermore, government officials have seen a major increase in their salaries, with some top-ranked officials seeing their salary soar more than 1,000%, according to the BBC. This might sound nice, but seeing that there is no real economic shift or progress in the country and thus no solid basis for funding this project, it will surely lead to disillusionment among the people and possible economic disaster. Resentment might also increase among the populace, as those who are not government officials will be left with no benefit and increased inequality. The luxury cars and uniformed men on motorcycles in the "Military Zone" of the new capital, where a fortress-like complex houses Myanmar's leader, won't help either.
Talk from the military remains highly anti-Western, with blame for most everything being laid on imperial powers on a daily basis. Simultaneously, however, talk of Democracy surfaces occasionally, as it did in the speech of Senior General Than Shwe at the Armed Forces Day parade. Than Shwe said "The people, together with the military must also strive hard to build a modern, developed state where disciplined democracy flourishes." So far, this kind of talk has been little more than empty words. Unless the government truly changes its ways and allows space for proper business initiatives and investment, not only is Naypyidaw doomed, but the country as a whole stands little chance of rebounding.
For pictures of the new capital, Naypyidaw, have a look at the following link:
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