Caretaking Democratization: The Military and Political Change in Myanmar

Abstract

Caretaking Democratization: The Military and Political Change in Myanmar. By Renaud Egreteau. London: Hurst & Co, 2016. Hardcover: 193pp. In Caretaking Democratization French scholar Renaud Egreteau adds his voice to growing body of literature on Myanmar's recent political transition. Egreteau already has a considerable number of publications on Myanmar under his belt, not least on role of military in country's politics and role of national-level parliament since reforms were introduced in 2011. As such, it is not surprising that, like other academics, Egreteau sees endogenous rather than external factors as key to pacted transition he says we have witnessed in Myanmar (p. 15). The title of book clearly conveys thrust of Egreteau's argument: namely, that when compared to period of direct military rule that preceded it, period between and early 2016 is one in which military limited its interventionism in Myanmar politics to that of guardian army. The Tatmadaw, official name for armed forces, remains last resort decision-maker in post-SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) hybrid system. For Egreteau, Myanmar's transition from military rule is a sui generis case (p. 3). The book consists of six substantive chapters. In opening chapter, Egreteau contextualizes recent transition with reference to Myanmar's political history. His discussion shows that pacted transition, which is also described as a settlement (p. 32), was sought by military leadership, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and National League for Democracy as well as ethnic leaders who were willing to compromise to move politics forward. As Egreteau explains, transition was long planned by military and can be re-traced at very least to 2003 political roadmap to a discipline-flourishing democracy on which then military regime embarked in aftermath of renewed detention of Suu Kyi if not to early days of State Law and Order Restoration Council. The importance of role of wider social elites and political entrepreneurs as drivers of political transition has arguably been focus of more detailed work published elsewhere. Nevertheless, Egreteau similarly maintains that the 'Third Force' has participated in shaping of 'environmental conditions' necessary to bargaining of a loose 'pact' once SPDC was disbanded in 2011 (p. 36). Chapter two describes broadening of socio-political space under President U Thein Sein. Attention is given to 2010, 2012 and 2015 elections and expansion of civil society. However, Egreteau concentrates not only on positives, and hence does not fail to mention either disenfranchisement experienced by several groups or issue of religious extremism. Drawing strongly on his previous work, Egreteau then examines role of legislators in a revived parliamentary setting. Chapter three contains very interesting data and analysis on political parties and even key legislators. Egreteau notes that there has been some reliance on foreign funds for urgent parliamentary capacity building. Beyond noting external influences, he also outlines problem of internal divisions and splits experienced by political parties. Setting out current pattern of military intervention in Myanmar politics, Egreteau looks at political violence, political fragmentation and ethnic and communal conflicts. He also devotes particular attention to role of military in legislative affairs. …