Despotism in Burma

After the Second World War, Burma was widely seen as the brightest economic prospect in South-East Asia. In 2010, we have an impoverished nation plagued by the actions of a brutal army. In 1990, multi-party elections were held largely as a result of popular pressure. The National League for Democracy (of which Ms Suu Kyi lead) won a landslide victory. Yet the result was annulled, Ms Suu Kyi placed under house arrest and no elections have been held since - that is, until last Sunday.

What has gone wrong? The international community, despite what it may think, are utterly powerless. The US have imposed sanctions on Burma since 1997. This is ineffective considering Burma are controlled by despots who could not care less for their people.

These sanctions have not only been futile but actually counter-productive. Firstly, when all information is heavily censored by the state, they have undoubtedly been able to foster an 'anti-foreign' feeling in the country against the 'foreign oppressors' who impose sanctions on its people. Secondly, sanctions hurt the very people they are meant to help; the poor, impoverished citizens. Thus, sanctions are nothing more than a form of tokenism.

Instead,the most we can do is exert international pressure through the mass media. Although this is not claimed to solve our problems, it can be effective. Iran did not stone to death Ms Astiani for adultery because of the incredible amounts of negative press coverage around the world. Clearly, these brutal governments do care about international opinion. This is the way forward.