The People of Myanmar: The Myanmar Coup - Opinion

Myanmar's population has always seen the true value in democracy- but it only took a crack in its fragile fortress of democracy to sink their hopes. The initial shock of the crumbling pillars of democracy would understandably be a dip-no-a dunk, in cold water - and this doesn't just apply to the population of Myanmar exclusively, but to those of other countries too. Many world leaders have condemned the military coup, some through words, others through tariffs.

Quite frustratingly, the military coup has been able to achieve its success benefitting off the fear of the population - streets empty of protestors and many silenced. Their role as the military - the 'protector' of the people of Myanmar- by the means of guns and machinery, ironically is their means of total control, and their instrument for an iron grip over the people they sworn to protect. Now, this has not been the first time a military coup took place in Myanmar. However, after a couple of decades of stability in democracy and the recent initial results for the election, many were hoping for an end to the need of fear for a rebound in brute force as the means for political power.

This wasn't the case.

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At this point, you have probably heard of the coup happening in Myanmar, the persecution of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the strong resistance from the

population - young and old - of Myanmar. If you have not, I have explained it below.

So what is happening in Myanmar?

To put in short: The military claims that the recent landslide election had fraudulent results (sounds familiar, hmm?). However, unlike the case in the United States, the military in Myanmar is the opposition, the loser of the election. Now, this is important, because as their title suggests, a military is not a force you could easily overpower.

The trouble comes when 1. the military is corrupt and 2. the opposing party does not accept defeat.

The house arrest and persecution of Aung San Suu Kyi has been the headline of many articles. Now, you may eye her for her dismissal of Rohingyas or your may see her as a victim of this coup. However, my view is this: in the matter of a forceful military coup, it does not matter what you think of Aung San Suu Kyi, this is not about her. This is about the destruction of democracy Myanmar is facing right now. The real victim of this is the people of Myanmar.

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How the people of Myanmar responded to this:

The streets clear, empty of protestors is the simple product from the equation of fear and force against free will. However, make no mistake, this does not mean the population of Myanmar has accepted it, nor does it mean that they have given up fighting it. Many have participated in protests where they were safely hidden from persecution. A notable example: the pan striking protests from the hideout of their homes, meant to cause a disruption and a message resonated.

A noticeable size of the population, young and old, has 'signed up' for battle to become soldiers of democracy 'warfare' in various ways. However, because there is a limit as to what I can cover before I lose your attention, let's look at the aspect of remote protests, through social media.

Just like the Black Lives Matter protests last year, information spreaded quick with the help of social media. As such, so did resentment and frustration towards the robbers of democracy.

The military's response? Silencing the people. Facebook - banned. Streets - patrolled by military vehicles. However, hope - still, of existence.

But for what it's worth, take this speck of hope: the increasing resistance within the population evident from the need of the military to ban Facebook and other means of protesting is a sign, however much of a far reach, for the tables turning, and power over the country - swaying (in the long run).

NOW, the financial flavour of this article.

There are so many consequences of this coup, all not in favour of Myanmar, quite obviously. How will other countries react to this? We could talk about its relationship with other countries, the increased tariffs, or - a worst case scenario for the people of Myanmar - a spot under the 'Sanctioned Countries', also known as the 'untouchables', and not in the good way. The 'untouchables' are - well, untouchable in terms of trade and investments - the most notable and powerful Sanctions List there is would be that of the United States. If a country has the wish of brushing hands with the United States, it wouldn't dare hold hands with the Sanction Listed countries. (The United States is just that powerful, let me know in the comments if you would be interested in the article of the 'true power' of the United States!)

Why the conditions? To try to force the military to loosen its grip on Myanmar. By making economic activity stiffer to stir, it is directly-indirectly playing a game of push-and-pull with the military. Military loosens grip? Less tariffs.

Now, frankly, I could go on and on about the depth of impact these have financially on the country as a whole. But today, I want to focus on the people of Myanmar. With tariffs on Myanmar's exports, profits of domestic producers? Down. With tariffs on Myanmar's imports, quality of products the average consumer of Myanmar can find on the shelves? Down. The lack of freedom and democracy leads to lower economic growth and discourages the economy.

This all leads to the people of Myanmar being worst off. Would the military care? Well, the military wants control because it gives them power. What they do with that power? It could be corruption, it could be for something else. However, my two-cents is that they wouldn't care about the wellbeing of the people, even though their role as the 'leader' of Myanmar calls for it. How I came to this conclusion? Their motive for stealing democracy from the people leads me to believe that they will culminate it again in the future.

But understand this: the list of consequences the people of Myanmar has to face is in itself a persecution that does not require the courts. And mind you, they still got an unfair trial.

Think about how the conditions given by other countries would affect the average citizen.

Their livelihoods will be heavily affected. Their quality of life will be extensively exacerbated. Their day to day lives will be drastically disrupted.

Personally, I think this is unfair because the people of Myanmar did nothing wrong! Is their wish for democracy a call to be silenced? No. Yet, they are the ones who are to suffer the consequences of a power struggle.

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I'm invested with how the situation would play out.

This article is a direct, unmediated opinion of mine, keep this in mind.

When a country is ruled by fear, not peace, the pillars of its foundation will crumble, by the means of external resistance; or by the means of internal destruction.

*This was my two cents on the situation. Keep in mind, this is an opinionated piece, and the situation is volatile. Tides may shift and hence what I write here may not be fully reflective of the future situation in the country.

Let me know your perspective on the situation in the comments, I appreciate any new attitudes and frames of mind introduced regarding this situation.

Instagram: @theyoungpeoplesfinance

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