Change the Incentives Behind Burmese Violence

WALL STREET JOURNAL-- Burma's democratic era began in the 1950s. However, conflict in Burma against Muslims and escalated by Buddhists has called human rights activists into action. Advocacy groups have accused elites such as national security officers, politicians, and Buddhist monks of perpetuating ethnic cleansing. Human rights groups have also accused the army of watching from the sidelines as mobs attack Muslims. The thought is that the government has not intervened because they gain support by propagating the Muslim enemy.

Others have pointed out that it is often the case in growing democracies for electoral competition to be equated with violence. Elites realize the power in having a one or two party system for their own control and thus capitalize on it. The increase in ethnic violence in Burma is a powerful force that the government is using for their own advantage and not for the people.

Emily Goodfellow
LEV 350 (#6)