Saffron Revolution

1. Saffron Revolution was led by saffron robed Buddhist monks with about 100,000 unarmed Burmese protesters filling out the streets of the capital Rangoon. They marched thorough the Rangoon streets demanding freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate. Monks were out to the streets barefoot; people supported them with water, flowers and balm for their feet. 2. This revolution is similar to other revolutions because it is also a cry for more freedom, and a change towards a democratic system. Out of all the revolutions studied, it is probably closest to the Philippines’s People Power revolution. In fact, it was influenced by that very revolution. It is closer to the People Power Revolution as opposed to the American Revolution or the French Revolution because both People Power and the Saffron Revolution have handled things with a more ‘modern’ approach. Also they were both under some sort of a dictatorship government. The people of Burma also try to use non violent protests to change the government. Unlike some countries, pressures from the western world to not hammer Burma as did with the Philippines. No matter how much the western world tries to make sanctions against Burma, they always have close allies in the Asian region (especially China and India). Therefore it makes this revolution a harder puzzle to solve than most of the other revolutions. 3. The Saffron rev. is an on-going revolution. The protests still go on but many have resulted in injury, deaths and imprisonment caused by the military police shooting unarmed protesters. This could mean that many may have to pay the price in order for Burma to become a democratic nation. Also, the junta seems to be in strong command, while the democracy movement is weak. This could mean that democracy might not be established in the immediate future. And even if it is there are no certain signs of a good leader that can lead the democratic Burma well, nor any political leaders that can help lead Burma to that state. 4. For the people of Burma the Saffron Revolution was a very necessary event. The military government have been limiting and hurting the Burmese people and have been violating their human rights, as seen in the 1989 massacre. Non-violence is a better method than violent revolutions but it is not enough to change the current government. Continuation of these protests may cause more tensions with the government as the government does not allow protests against their government. What needs to be done in order for this revolution to succeed is that more foreign help needs to be gained. China and other allies must realize what the Burmese government is doing and they must, along with the rest of the world, help aid Burma in order for it to become a free country. 5. Yes, the Saffron Revolution fits Brinton Crane’s Anatomy of revolutions. The phase ‘symptoms’ is clearly shown when the Burmese started to get mad over the sudden rise of fuel prices. The government has been showing clear violations of human rights and the intellectuals (political activists, students, monks etc.) start to speak out against the government. For ‘the rising fever’ the people of Burma have established a Democratic movement but it is shown to be weak and unsuccessful. The Saffron Revolution is still in the stage of ‘crisis’. A lot of violence has been displayed in recent protests. Economic conditions of Burma are poor and the government is not run properly. Bibliography “2007 Burmese anti-government protests” 25 Jan 2008 29 Jan 2008 "The Saffron Revolution." The Economist 27 Sep 2007 18 Jan 2008 < “The Saffron Revolution” The Washington Times 25 Jan 2008 29 Jan 2008