Fascism In Burma

Even though different modes of government have ruled Burma, none of these regimes have put the people first; the citizens have endured tragedies throughout. Post-colonization from Europe, government rule in “modern” Asia has always been dictatorship covered up by the name of a left-wing party. This was just for assurance that their cultures and traditions would never again be tainted by outsiders. Although the government poses to have their citizens’ best interests at heart, it seems the civilians are who suffer the most throughout the history of Communism and Socialism when in fact, it was Fascism. Sources needed for life like food, water, wages, freedom, are continuously cut off so the government can continue to control its people for its

After the separation, the Burmese Socialist Party was founded to put the indigenous people of Burma back in control. 1942 was the year Japan invaded Burma, and the Burmese soldiers in the regular army deserted and joined Aung San in an anti-British Burma Independence Army, who would later be the AFPFL (or the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League). Ne Win, the future ruler of Burma at the time, was leader of one of the three battalions of the army. In 1945 Aung San and the Burma National Army rebelled against the Japanese rule and liberated Burma with British help. Under U Nu’s rule he had stated that, “capitalist greed was not a Buddhist virtue, and the socialist period was founded off of Buddhist principles.” (Trager). Democratic socialism is what the Burmese saw as the proper way to fully gain control of the Burmese government (Steinberg). On April 30, 1962, the Revolutionary Council of the military-led government in Burma announced a new national ideology and plan of action; this plan of action was called the “Burmese Way to Socialism.” The Burmese Way to Socialism was thought to be the key to consolidating the people of Burma through equality and

(Trager). The idea of unity and equality was appealing but unfortunately, this process was poorly executed. Soon enough, everything was being controlled by the military. After European colonization, Japan ruled over Burma as a state during the war and then Burma declared independence. After Burma’s independence was declared, the civilian government ruled and they did everything they could to make the education system Burma-centric to reclaim what had been lost. (Ni) This caused a sense of classism, even after European rule. After it was seen the civilian government was not truly effective, Burma decided to switch to military rule and this invoked fear on the people of Burma. Military rule stopped in 2011 and after that Burma is now trying to repair itself from its dark history. The military dictatorship in Burma was so bad that numbers of ethnic minorities who had fled their home countries to live there, were forced to flee and find other refuge. Even today, Burma still faces many issues and forces itself to be alleviated of the public's eyes. Issues Burma currently faces are the genocide of Rohingya committed by Buddhists who believe the countries discrepancies are caused by them and their ancestors who came to Burma for trade. (King,