Burma's Struggle for Economic Development and Modernization: Discussing Different Approaches and Which Way to Go?

Lian, Van Nun

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2018

2018-05-31

60

Siden reformerne i 2011 har Burma gennemgået hurtige forandringer. Landet søger stabilitet, fred, velstand og udvikling gennem politiske og økonomiske reformer. Politisk arbejder Burma på demokratisering, national forsoning, våbenhviler og at afslutte etniske væbnede konflikter. Økonomisk står landet ved en skillevej og sætter fart på modernisering, industrialisering, urbanisering og økonomisk fremgang. Ved at åbne sin økonomi mod omverdenen er Burma blevet en af de hurtigst voksende økonomier i ASEAN (sammenslutningen af sydøstasiatiske lande). Med rige naturressourcer, ambitiøse programmer og mere liberale økonomiske politikker tiltrækker regeringen handel og udenlandske investeringer, som fremmer vækst. Dette speciale undersøger to udviklingsmodeller: en liberal model, der bygger på markedsøkonomi, frihandel, privatisering (overførsel af statslige virksomheder til private ejere), liberalisering (færre regler og barrierer) og begrænset statslig indblanding; og en kinesisk model, hvor staten spiller en aktiv og styrende rolle som regulator, initiativtager, katalysator og leder af økonomien. I den kinesiske model bruges markedsmekanismer, men regeringen bevarer i nogen grad kontrol over markederne. Valget af en passende model er ifølge specialet afgørende for Burmas udvikling, givet landets nuværende økonomiske niveau, samfundsstrukturer og geografiske placering. Analysen peger på, at Kina er den vigtigste kilde til økonomisk udvikling i Burma. Samtidig udfordres Kinas indflydelse af EU og USA, som tilbyder en mere liberal udviklingsvej. Efter at begge parter ophævede økonomiske sanktioner og gav Burma adgang til GSP (en ordning med handelspræferencer), er handlen med EU og USA vokset siden 2011. Alligevel viser resultaterne, at omfanget af Burma–Kina-handlen og kinesiske investeringer er de primære drivkræfter i Burmas økonomi, og at landet i et vist omfang er afhængigt af forholdet til Kina. På den baggrund konkluderer specialet, at den kinesiske, statsledede model er en passende vej for et konfliktpræget og etnisk mangfoldigt land med svage institutioner, utilstrækkelig infrastruktur, begrænset menneskelig kapital og umodne markeder, fordi den kan forbedre levevilkår og understøtte fortsat vækst.

Since the 2011 reforms, Burma has undergone rapid change in pursuit of stability, peace, prosperity, and development through political and economic reforms. Politically, the country is working on democratization, national reconciliation, ceasefires, and ending ethnic armed conflicts. Economically, it stands at a crossroads, accelerating modernization, industrialization, urbanization, and overall progress. By opening its economy to the world, Burma has become one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN (the regional bloc of Southeast Asian countries). With abundant natural resources, ambitious government programs, and more liberal economic policies, it has attracted trade and foreign investment that fuel growth. This thesis examines two development paths: a liberal model based on a market economy, free trade, privatization (moving state-owned firms to private ownership), liberalization (reducing rules and barriers), and limited state intervention; and a Chinese model in which the state plays an active leading role as regulator, initiator, stimulator, and manager of the economy. The Chinese model still uses markets but maintains a degree of government control. According to the thesis, choosing an appropriate model is essential given Burma’s current stage of development, social systems, and geographic location. The analysis finds that China is the main source of economic development in Burma. At the same time, China’s influence faces challenges from the EU and the United States, which offer a more liberal development path. After both lifted economic sanctions and granted Burma access to GSP (a trade preference program), trade with the EU and the US has grown since 2011. However, the findings show that the scale of Burma–China trade and Chinese investment are the primary drivers of Burma’s economy, making it to some degree dependent on its relationship with China. On this basis, the thesis concludes that for a conflict-prone, ethnically diverse country with weak institutions, poor infrastructure, limited human capital, and immature markets, the state-led Chinese model is a suitable path to improve living standards and support further growth.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

Burma ; Changes ; Modernisation process ; Economic development

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