Myanmar Explodes in General Strike Against the Coup - Left Voice
www.leftvoice.org
Hundreds of thousands of workers and protesters took to the streets in Myanmar amidst threats of repression by the military government. Over the weekend, two people were killed by the police — a total of four have been killed since the movement against the coup began.
  • DeepPoliSci [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    0·
    5 years ago

    Just a few observations::

    1. Only 5% of Myanmar’s population has English as a first or second language, and yet every single sign in the crowd is in English.
    2. All the symbols in the crowd are connected to the CMD, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, which was heavily involved in the Rohingan Genocide and the cover-up.
    3. The article does not provide any evidence that this movement is connected to organized labor or any working class organization.

    For these reasons, I am skeptical that this movement represents the interests of the working classes in Myanmar. Also, there’s no evidence that either the incoming or outgoing government in Myanmar is a progressive force.

    This looks like a feud between two unaccountable factions of the ruling class in Myanmar. The US/NED complex is supporting one side over the other, and they are leveraging soft power.

    I would hesitate weighing in on the Myanmar situation right now.

    • congressbaseballfan [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      1·
      5 years ago

      The military was left leaning in the 70s and early 80s. Unfortunately they decided to out-Deng Deng, and the country became state military capitalism. China supported this because they wanted access to resource, and actually helped put down a nascent ML movement in the late 80s.

      So the “left” in Myanmar is just pro-democracy. There is no class conflict, partially because the military is the bourgeoisie for all intents and purposes. Yes there are upper class and business owners, but capital is concentrated in the military. Most of these strikes are organized by essential workers in the cities - medical personnel for example, who are upper middle class, and fear they will lose their status as a result of the coup.

      So long story short, this is worker driven, but largely an upper middle class movement. Doesn’t take into account ethnic minorities living in poverty, who, before the coup, were actually starting to ally with the military (who wanted more seats so was willing to give concessions). English signs because China is taking a neutral position - they benefit either way, so they don’t really care as long as money and resources still flow. So they think they can appeal to the west to intercede on their behalf.

      Especially funny is signs in English that attack China for Uigher genocide. Like, a month ago you were cheering on your own genocide lmao.

      Anyway, Myanmar is a land of contrasts, and where we can apply a Marxist lens to analysis of many other countries, this situation defies that framework