Choosing Survival: Finding a Way to Overcome Current Economic and Political Quagmires in Myanmar

Despite the encouraging developments of the past two years, Myanmar faces an uncertain future fraught with very difficult political, economic and challenges. This paper examines where Myanmar has been, where it is, and what kinds of changes are needed to create conditions for unity, peace and inclusive and sustainable development. While the analysis in this paper is cautionary and often negative, its purpose is to solve problems, not complain. Creating a coalition for nation building will be easier if the poor current situation is better understood. Achieving the desired goals will not be easy and will likely take longer than many understand or imagine. Avoiding narrow coalitions that would continue current extractive policies is necessary to move forward. However, a feasible path exists and many current government policies are meant to put the nation on that path.This paper aims to contribute to those efforts and build on the progress already made.