Myanmar s Past Glory and Present Struggles How it has become a country of poverty after turmoil

Mondo Tourism Updated on 2024-01-22

With the recent coup d'état in Myanmar, the international situation has once again focused on the Southeast Asian country. However, Myanmar's ups and downs were foreshadowed as early as the early days of the country's founding. Why is Myanmar, once prosperous and wealthy, now in deep trouble?

Myanmar is a relatively low-key country, humble compared to Japan and India, and lacks the luxury of the riches of Middle Eastern countries. However, 70 years ago, Myanmar was once the "richest man" in Asia, with a GDP of more than $12 billion and a per capita GDP of up to $700, far exceeding that of China in the same period. Behind this splendor are Myanmar's abundant natural resources, such as rubber, coconut, coffee, pepper and other tropical cash crops, as well as mineral resources rich in emerald gemstones. However, this boom did not last to this day.

First, civil unrest has been the main reason why Myanmar has become a poor country. Myanmar is a multi-ethnic country, with the Burmese making up 70 per cent of the total population and the remaining 30 per cent made up of 135 different ethnic groups. Historically, the major ethnic groups fought each other, and the rulers suppressed other ethnic groups under power, forming deep grievances. However, no ethnic group has ever been able to truly unify the whole of Myanmar, and the various ethnic groups are scattered all over the country, ostensibly obedient but in fact independent, forming many "states within states". This system continues to this day, exacerbating the country's leading to ongoing conflicts.

After Ne Win came to power in 1962, Myanmar entered the rule of ** and implemented the policy of "Greater Burmese", which oppressed and excluded other ethnic groups. The military ** suppressed the national armed forces through military means and implemented the policy of "closing the country to the outside", which led to further turmoil in the domestic situation. For too long, most of Myanmar's resources have been consumed in infighting, leaving no time for economic development, leaving Myanmar impoverished.

The coup d'état did not happen suddenly, but was the result of a long period of accumulation. The balance of cooperation with the military has been upset since the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the ** in 2010. The military blamed election fraud, and domestic political tensions intensified. In 2020, the NLD won another landslide victory, exacerbating the military's discontent with power, which eventually led to a coup d'état.

The strength of the military is related to Aung San Suu Kyi's father, General Aung San. In 1947, General Aung San led Burma to independence and became the country's military leader, known as the "Father of the Nation." However, the assassination of General Aung San soon after, leading to a power vacuum in the military, exacerbated the contradictions between ** and the military. Because Aung San's Burmese Independence Army (MPA) played a key role in the independence movement, the military has long been highly respected among the civilian population and seen as the protector of the state. Since the 1962 coup, Myanmar has been under the rule of the military, which has led to frequent civil wars and an economic depression.

However, corruption and poor governance in the military have led to frequent civil wars and economic stagnation. By the late 1980s, Myanmar had become one of the poorest countries in the world, and in 1987 it was listed as the world's least developed country by the United Nations. Aung San Suu Kyi's rise marked a change in the political landscape, but over time, tensions between the military and the NLD deepened, culminating in the 2020 coup.

The development of Myanmar has been tortuous and volatile, and the international community is very concerned about its situation. China and Myanmar have cooperated in the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and in-depth cooperation in oil and gas, power infrastructure and other projects. Myanmar is of great significance to China's energy security and has become its largest partner and foreign investment country. Whether the NLD or the Gongfa Party is in power, it is difficult to change the tone of cooperation in Sino-Burmese relations. I hope that Myanmar will be able to resolve its internal disputes at an early date and usher in a peaceful and stable tomorrow.

This article on Myanmar is an exhaustive picture of the country's prosperity and current woes, reflecting the profound impact of civil unrest,** and political change on a country's development. While presenting facts, the article also potentially expresses concerns and expectations for Myanmar's future.

First of all, the article points out that Myanmar was once a prosperous place in Asia, with abundant natural resources and a unique geographical location. However, the country's multi-ethnic pattern and long-standing instability have made this supposedly rich country synonymous with poverty. This is not only an economic problem, but also a failure of long-term governance and internal cooperation in the country. Myanmar's domestic problems, especially those that have not been effectively resolved, and the contradictions between different ethnic groups have kept the country in a state of instability, which has undoubtedly become the biggest stumbling block to Myanmar's development.

Second, the article mentions the significant impact of the coup d'état on Myanmar. The coup d'état did not take place in isolation, but as the result of a long period of antagonism. The partnership between the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the military broke down, and the controversy over the elections eventually led to a change of regime. This once again highlights the instability of domestic politics and the fragility of the political system. The political turmoil in Myanmar has a direct impact on the country's overall governance and economic development, which has also led to the growing concern of the international community about Myanmar.

The article concludes with an introduction to Aung San Suu Kyi and her father, General Aung San, highlighting the historical instability of leadership in Myanmar. The military's strength owes in part to General Aung San's leadership, but it is also due to poor governance and frequent civil wars that have left the country in trouble. This historical context deepens the understanding of the coup d'état, but also highlights the close connection between politics and economics.

Taken together, Myanmar's fate is influenced by a combination of historical, political, and ethnic factors. The analysis of the problem in the article is insightful, providing readers with a clear picture of Myanmar. Myanmar's economic predicament and political turmoil require the concern and assistance of the international community, as well as rational dialogue and compromise among all parties in the country, with a view to achieving peace and prosperity in the future.

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