Moral Constipation
Given the immense destruction and imminent suffering caused by a cyclone in Myanmar, the question that needs to be asked is what is the role the the world. Should the sovereignty of Myanmar be respected while hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people suffer? At what point does an international body disregard the wishes of a country so that relief can be provided? More correctly, when does the world decide the junta that is controlling the country is illegal? While the government of Myanmar apparently welcomes the help offered by the various nations of the world, the junta, which actually runs the country, is blocking any attempt to provide support. This same de facto government is more concerned with consolidating and “legitimatizing” its power than it is with caring for the dead, sick, wounded, starving populace. At what point will the world get over its fear of offending an illegal and uncaring government? When will the world take the equivalent of a moral laxative and respond to the needs of a suffering population?
Posted at 5/11/2008 11:00:00 AM UTC
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2 Comment(s):
It's complicated because of a few things. First of all, Burma used to be a British colony and then shortly after that was occupied by the Japanese imperial forces for a time. Hence, the people of Burma may not all be happy with getting invaded and occupied EVEN if it is to get rid of their murderous regime. After all, the record of the US and Britain on liberating a place and then leaving when it's time to leave is pretty bad.
In fact, all of the countries who have the capacity to do a toppling/regime change/democracy-building in a place like Burma have lost their credibility and legitimacy as bringers of freedom and justice. The attempts to bring freedom, justice and democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan have effectively failed for all but a tiny percentage of each of those country's populations. And we could expect nothing from a Chinese intervention than an almost identical regime to the current one.
Which brings us to the next problem, Burma's neighbors. China and India also had to gain independence from the British and they would not like to have Burma become a protectorate of the Anglosphere (even though both have economies that are fully dependent on Anglosphere consumption). Personally, I also think they would be leery of a western intervention because both India and China have contiguous provinces to Burma that might ask to be "helped" as well, Assam and Tibet come to mind.
Then there is the small matter of US-China relations. It would appear that the US really does play along with most of China's paranoia about itself, so I wouldn't expect the US to risk angering China over this. China has a Monroe Doctrine of its own and it really does see countries like Burma as being thorughly within China's sphere of influence. Maybe China should intervene in Burma....EXCEPT that if it did then India would have a real reason to up its security posture vis-a-vis China!
So it sucks. We'll have to depend on some lame-assed UN program run by one of my fellow Scandinavians, a Dutch guy, or maybe a Kiwi.
I agree it (entering Myanmar without authorization) is a complicated matter but the need is great. Also, it would not be an invasion. I am not sure a cadre of 40 unarmed individuals could be considered an invasion. In addition, to be sensitive to the distrust of any Anglo nation, I believe the UN could provide support with individuals from any number of other nations. The US and UK are not the only nations with a conscience or a desire to help.
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