We are currently enjoying a visit by Dr. Aung Tun Thet to our Institute of Asian Research. Dr. Thet has worked in the UN system for a long time and is now centrally involved in policy-making in Myanmar as the chief economic advisor to the president among a number of other roles.
His discussion of the “Paths and Challenges” for reform in Myanmar had me jotting down a table that compares Mongolia and Myanmar in a number of different ways.
This follows on a number of discussions I’ve had with Mendee and Brandon who have been interested in this comparison as well as with Otogonbaatar who is currently visiting from Waseda Univ and is focused on Myanmar in his dissertation work. Brandon in particular wrote an Asia Pacific Memo on “The Politics of Mining in Mongolia and Myanmar” earlier this year. Also, President Elbegdorj was just on a state visit to Myanmar earlier in November.
After publication of this post, Brandon also wrote on Mongolia-Myamar relations for The Diplomat.
The table below is more stream-of-consciousness than a thought-out classification, so I would be delighted to hear comments/additions/disagreements about this.
|
|
Mongolia |
Myanmar |
Similar? |
| History |
Post-colonial: China resentment, neutral/amity with Russia |
Post-colonial: Britain |
– |
|
Defeat of Japanese military (1939), but planned for inclusion in Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere |
Invasion by Japan (1942) and battleground |
– |
|
|
Brief period of some post-colonial hints at democratic prospects (1911-24) |
Post-colonial democracy (1948-61) |
+ |
|
|
Democratic revolution |
Particular state socialism then military authoritarianism and democracy out of enlightened self-interest |
– |
|
|
Democratic institutions established before resource boom |
Resource boom during uncertain transition to democracy |
– |
|
| Population |
3 mio |
60 mio |
– |
|
High literacy |
High literacy |
+ |
|
|
Mongols and Kazakhs |
Multi-ethnic |
– |
|
|
Ethnic and civic peace |
Ethnic and civic strife |
– |
|
|
Buddhism and shamanism |
Buddhism, Islam and Christianity |
– |
|
| Location |
Landlocked |
Bordering on Indian Ocean and active shipping routes |
– |
|
Transcontinental train lines |
Train, road, and shipping networks |
||
|
Isolated between China and Russia |
Many direct neighbours: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, Thailand |
– |
|
|
Extreme cold |
Susceptible to extreme weather (floods, tsunami, cyclones) |
– |
|
| International relations |
No threats |
Security threats primarily domestic |
+ |
|
Two large neighbours (CHN & RUS) |
Not only two large neighbours (IND & CHN) |
– |
|
|
No regional context/NE Asia not an active regional context |
ASEAN |
– |
|
|
Significant Japanese involvement (aid, some investment) |
Significant Japanese involvement (aid, investment) |
+ |
|
|
Pres Elbegdorj becoming visible internationally |
U Thant very prominent as UN Gen Sec (1961-71) |
+ |
|
|
WTO member since 1997 |
International sanctions until recently |
– |
|
|
3rd neighbour policy |
“Keeping the same distance”, playing various neighbours off against each other |
+ |
|
| Politics |
Charismatic democrats in polity (Elbegdorj, Bat-Uul, etc.) |
Aung Suu Kyi, Thein Sein, U Nu |
+ |
|
Military thoroughly democratized |
Future role for military still unclear |
||
|
Centralized |
Importance of regions/federalism |
||
| Economy |
Mineral wealth |
Mineral wealth |
+ |
|
Ivanhoe Mines as early pivotal investor |
Ivanhoe Mines as early investor |
+ |
|
|
Manufacturing unlikely |
Export-driven manufacturing, low cost |
– |
|
|
Food production: meat domestic, other food imported (mostly from China) |
Food production: strong focus on rice |
– |
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