THE IDEA OF FREEDOM IN BURMA AND THE POLITICAL-THOUGHT OF KYI,DAW,AUNG,SAN,SUU

This is an examination of the roots of the modern idea of freedom in B urma and its role in the present contest between the military rulers, who deny the modern version and, instead,. seek to impose a permanent dictatorship devoid of political and social freedom, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who stands for the restoration of freedom and democracy throu gh peaceful and legal means. The essay examines the two roots of the m odern idea of freedom: Buddhism and modern liberal thought and their m erger to form the modern idea. It concludes with an examination of the political ideas and writings of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Based on modern Burmese thought, she speaks to the people in terms they understand an d respond to. It is argued that she, and not her military opponents, d iscusses ideas that the people share and offers goals they peacefully struggle to achieve.