Opinion of Aung San Suu Kyi

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I genuinely have no idea what to think about this woman, who may be PM of Myanmar/Burma by thee d of this year. On the one hand, she would be a drastic improvement on the current conservative military junta that has misruled the country for decades and allowed the country's services at atrophy. On the other, she does seem to embody Moderate Heroism, especially when something controversial (e.g. The rise of Buddhist far-right extremists and ethnic struggles) comes up.

I'll reserve judgement.

[Antonio the Sixth]

FF in context, which is all that matters.

[TDAS04]

FF.

[Simfan34]

I genuinely have no idea what to think about this woman, who may be PM of Myanmar/Burma by thee d of this year. On the one hand, she would be a drastic improvement on the current conservative military junta that has misruled the country for decades and allowed the country's services at atrophy. On the other, she does seem to embody Moderate Heroism, especially when something controversial (e.g. The rise of Buddhist far-right extremists and ethnic struggles) comes up.

I'll reserve judgement.

This is neither something she has any power over nor something worth sacrificing her political career over (particularly since they've almost certainly been stoked by the tatmadaw for, amongst other reasons, that exact purpose). If she actually wants to make an impact beyond being a "symbol of democracy" she will have to make compromises and, yes, play politics... she is, after all, a politician.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Isn't she hyper popular though? Like I doubt it would really hurt her chances of election if she said 'err cool it guys'. Playing politics involves making compromises, yes, but it also involves cashing in some popularity chips occasionally to do what is right.

[Simfan34]

Isn't she hyper popular though? Like I doubt it would really hurt her chances of election if she said 'err cool it guys'. Playing politics involves making compromises, yes, but it also involves cashing in some popularity chips occasionally to do what is right.

Yes, but it might give the tatmadaw some (extra) excuse to hem her in- "encouraging sedition" or something terrible like that. We must keep in mind she's not quite playing in an open field just yet.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

At this point does the junta have any choice but to open up? It seems like half opening the door to democracy, and then slamming it shut would be ... Inadvisable.

[politicus]

At this point does the junta have any choice but to open up? It seems like half opening the door to democracy, and then slamming it shut would be ... Inadvisable.

They are in total control and have a good relationship with China and Thailand. Despite overwhelming support for the opposition there has never been a major mutiny of ethnic Burman soldiers and the internal control mechanisms in the army are strong. They could probably get away with slamming the door.

[Simfan34]

At this point does the junta have any choice but to open up? It seems like half opening the door to democracy, and then slamming it shut would be ... Inadvisable.

At all times and in all places I would caution against getting caught up in getting too convinced about the "unstoppable onward march of democracy". As unpleasant as it may seem there are many people who see the transition process in Burma as having ground to a halt in recent months/years.

They got away with it '88 and again in '92.

[Zioneer]

Literally a FF, but I do share CrabCake's concerns.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

FF in context, which is all that matters.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I genuinely have no idea what to think about this woman, who may be PM of Myanmar/Burma by thee d of this year. On the one hand, she would be a drastic improvement on the current conservative military junta that has misruled the country for decades and allowed the country's services at atrophy. On the other, she does seem to embody Moderate Heroism, especially when something controversial (e.g. The rise of Buddhist far-right extremists and ethnic struggles) comes up.

I'll reserve judgement.

tragic accolades

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

If Aung is an big HP, then in relative terms Myanmar's people are mega HP.
The vast majority of domestic popular opinion in Myanmar stands with the Tatmadaw, and the Rohingya lack basic human rights because so few like them.

[publicunofficial]

If Aung is an big HP, then in relative terms Myanmar's people are mega HP.
The vast majority of domestic popular opinion in Myanmar stands with the Tatmadaw, and the Rohingya lack basic human rights because so few like them.

I really hope I'm reading this post wrong and you're not justifying what's going on in Myanmar.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

If Aung is an big HP, then in relative terms Myanmar's people are mega HP.
The vast majority of domestic popular opinion in Myanmar stands with the Tatmadaw, and the Rohingya lack basic human rights because so few like them.

I really hope I'm reading this post wrong and you're not justifying what's going on in Myanmar.

I am not. Just pointing out that those who blame it all on ASSK are missing the bigger picture.
Is it really unfathomable that a bigoted nation of 50 million people would be supportive of genociding a small minority that they don't even care about in the first place?