December 8, 2015

THE BASICSTopic: Aung San Suu Kyi and Democracy in Myanmar

Articles “Former Myanmar military ruler Than Shwe ‘supports new leader’” (12/6/15) (BBC) “US prepares to amend Myanmar sanctions to smooth trade through port owned by junta crony”

(12/5/15) (U.S. News & World Report) “Myanmar’s Suu Kyi ‘optimistic’ after historic talks with ex-enemy” (12/5/15) (Reuters) “Aung San Suu Kyi, Long a Symbol of Dignified Defiance, Sounds a Provocative Note” (11/17/15)

(The NY Times) “Time for Aung San Suu Kyi to take Myanmar on the path of progress” (11/17/15) (DNAIndia) “Myanmar government vows peaceful transition of power” (11/10/15) (PBS Newshour)

Questions to Consider Where is Myanmar? Why was the country’s name changed from Burma? Which name do other

countries use? Which name does Aung San Suu Kyi use? Why? Who is Aung San Suu Kyi? What is the meaning of her name? Is “bright victory” appropriate? What is the National League for Democracy? What are Aung San Suu Kyi’s roots in the political

life of Myanmar? What did the selection of Aung San Suu Kyi as the winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize in the field of human rights mean to her? To her country? To the world?

What concerns exist about Aung San Suu Kyi’s statements that she is above the president? What concerns exist about ASSK’s reluctance to address human rights issues in her own country? What concerns exist about ASSK’s ability to “fix” the sick Myanmar economy?

How does the trade policy of the United States reinforce democracy in Myanmar? What might ASSK teach us about dealing with political opponents? Why is the transition to power

a critical time for new democracies? What is Article 59(f) of the Myanmar Constitution? Is it democratically unacceptable to target a

specific person? What do the recent elections in Myanmar mean for the country? Does the “landslide” victory for

Aung San Suu Kyi this year change the dynamics of power in Myanmar?

Is it reasonable to think that the military government will give up power without a struggle? What is the history of Myanmar? What are the challenges for Myanmar in creating a representative government? What ethnic tensions are there in Myanmar? What has been the result of armed conflict with

ethnic minorities? Why does the location of mineral wealth in the minority areas complicate the picture? Who are the Rohingyas and what are their grievances? How has tension between Buddhists and Muslims created problems?

What are the civil and human rights issues in Myanmar? In what areas are the citizens of Myanmar hoping for change? How important is adherence to the rule of law? Will corruption be decreased? Will foreign investment increase? What changes are needed in the education system? What job

opportunities are needed? How might the lack of experience in governing affect the performance of the NLD party? What will be the role of the military? What advantages do former soldiers have? What is the relationship of China to Myanmar? How have Western countries including the United

States dealt with Myanmar? THE EXTRASPre-teaching, Extensions & Further Reading

“Challenges & Opportunities Facing Myanmar/Burma Today” (World Affairs Council) “Aung San Suu Kyi Biography” (Biography) “How to pronounce ‘Aung San Suu Kyi’” (Fifty Viss) “Aung San Suu Kyi Quotes” (Brainy Quote)

Lesson Plans

“Exploring Leadership: Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi” (Morningside Center)

What’s the Connection? Constitutional

“US urges Myanmar to change constitution barring Suu Kyi rule” (Channel News Asia) Oregon

“A Long-Standing Love Affair with Myanmar” (PBS: The Picture Show) Students

“Myanmar students in peaceful march to protest political role of military” (6/30/15) (Reuters)

Oregon State Social Science Standards HS.31. Describe United States foreign policy and evaluate its impact on the United States and other countries. HS.33. Explain the role of government in various current events.HS.35. Examine the pluralistic realities of society (e.g., race, poverty, gender, and age), recognizing issues of equity, and evaluating need for change. HS.59. Demonstrate the skills and dispositions needed to be a critical consumer of information.HS.60. Analyze an event, issue, problem, or phenomenon form varied or opposing perspectives or points of view.

CCSS Anchor Standards2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

8. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

We the People Lesson ConnectionsMiddle School, Level 2

Unit 6, Lesson 28: What is the relationship of the United states to other nations in the world?

High School, Level 3 Unit 6, Lesson 36: How have American political ideas and the American Constitutional

System influenced other nations? Unit 6, Lesson 38: What are the challenges of the participation of the United States in

world affairs?