The Democratization of Politics
This is a harbinger of a massive change taking place at many levels.
The first is political. America and Europe no longer set the agenda and decide which dictators to support or kill. Not only has the debacle in Iraq damaged America's ability to do so, the emerging powers are more adventurous than ever before. China supports dictators in Africa and serves as the closest ally to North Korea, Burma, and Pakistan. India itself supports the violent actions of Sri Lanka's current government, was slow to criticize Nepal's king when he imposed direct rule a few years ago, and resists pressure on Syria and Iran.
The second is commercial. The old powers of the WTO (US, EU, Canada, and Japan) no longer decide unilaterally how international trade is to be conducted. Rather, power to make or break a deal rests equally with Brazil, India, and South Africa that have collectively stalled the current Doha round. Another example is the spate of compulsory licenses issued by Brazil and Thailand. These reverse decades of tightening international intellectual property laws, and the inability of the west to punish the offenders shows they no longer have unilateral leverage.
Finally, the Burmese saga illustrates the ongoing conflict of values. Here, America stood for promoting democracy while India and China both preferred to promote non-intervention. Once again the developing nations were more willing to challenge western conceptions of values. Till very recently, these countries were being saved by western governments and NGOs from their own ignorance. Today, some of them are important enough to be counted and heard. And that is good.
It may be too early to herald the emergence of a truly multi-polar world, but we are certainly moving in that direction. Call it the democratization of politics, of which Burma is the unfortunate casualty. This will be viewed by those that loose power – America and Europe – as undesirable, for it makes agenda setting difficult. But what is bad for Burma is good for those that gain power in the process. And let us not loose hope for Burma either. Despite its espousal of sovereignty, India helped liberate Bangladesh when America was supporting the oppressor. So also, these powers may yet support Burma's eventual transition to democracy. But they will do so at a time of their choosing, in a manner of their choosing.
Article comments
1 - Sam
"India itself supports the violent actions of Sri Lanka's current government"
And so India should, after arming, training and funding one of the most deadliest terror groups in the world - the Tamil Tigers.
2 - Marcia L. Neil
Of course, the 'K. C.' in 'K. C. and the Sunshine Band' includes others, too, apart from the Chinese anthropology author. Consider whether, now, the monk shown in a photo dead and lying in water is a relative of the monk said to be stabbed in Golden Gate Park, within the city boundaries of San Francisco, CA, peninsula -- while what? Fielding demands to have an accurate bloodline history from the Chang family? Are we all supposed to vote that they be interrogated until they die somewhere -- is that democracy in action?
3 - moonraven
The most important statement in this piece is that this is the FIRST time India has supported a patently dictatorial regime.
OPENLY supported, maybe.
What about all the patently dictatorial regimes that the US has OPENLY supported:
Papa Doc and Baby Doc
The Somozas, Father and Son
Trujillo
Batista
Pinochet (they put him in power)
ALL The Various Argentinian Generals}
Fredinand Marcos
The Shah
Saddam Hussein (he was their guy longer than when he wasn't their guy anymore)
Pérez Jiménez in Venezuela (even received a MEDAL from Ike)
Several in Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay
Ditto for Bolivia (Hugo Banzer more than once)
and a LOOOOOOOOOOONG list of etceteras--including almost next door in Pakistan.
THe US putting sanctions in Myanmar is just bullshit.
Give me a break.
The US has spread tyranny and dictatorships around the planet like peanut butter.
4 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"The US has spread tyranny and dictatorships around the planet like peanut butter."
You like that line, don't you, Marthe?
You don't mind if I use it in my own pieces, do you, since Blogcritics will not pay you for any articles you post?
It is a great line - and I feel an article coming on.....
Have a good week,
Reuven
PS I remembered reading in my Time/LIFE books long ago that Venezuela had a dictator who was a stutterer - that was Pérez Jiménez.
PPS If you really do want credit for the line, just sing out...
Reuven
5 - moonraven
Hi, Ruvy.
Please quote me, since you know the name I write under. I despise peanut butter--it is just so insipidly gringo.)
Pérez Jiménez was the Venezuelan dictator who received the Legion of Merit (US's highest civilian honor) from the hands of DD Eisenhower.
I believe that makes my point very nicely.
Thanks.