Publication

This paper establishes the context of the 2007 Burmese Saffron Revolution, explains the persistence of military rule and speculates about the country's prospects for political transition to democracy. It reviews Burma's political history since independence in 1948, looks at the pervasive domestic influence of the military and points to political, judicial and economic reforms necessary for democratization. Subsequently, the paper discusses what may be expected from the US, China and the international community. The author argues that successful transition to democracy has to include the military and will require decades of restructuring and reform.