Episode #348: Spring Awakening
“The Spring Revolution has to be understood as a distinct revolutionary episode in in Myanmar's history, but it [also] is the latest in a long line of revolutionary uprisings and struggles to ground Myanmar's political order, in principles that would be considered legitimate to most of those who are subject to it,” says Charlie Thame, speaking on the topic of his recent essay, Myanmar’s Redemptive Revolution: Constituent Power and the Struggle for Sovereignty in the Nwe Oo (Spring) Revolution. “That, of course, includes the 1988 Uprising. It includes the Saffron Revolution, but it also includes anti-colonial struggles, the Saya San Rebellion, and ethnic struggles for autonomy, for liberation, and for an inclusive political order for the state of Myanmar. So, the Karen, the Kachin, the Shan, and numerous others that we will all be familiar with.”
Charlie Thame is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Thammasat University in Bangkok, with a focus on political economy and regional integration in Southeast Asia. His experiences on the Myanmar-Thai border, along with his academic work on resistance and socio-political dynamics, afford him unique insights into the current revolutionary efforts in Myanmar.
The discussion opens with the topic of the Myanmar revolution that came in the wake of 2021 coup. Thame describes it as an undertaking that aims to fulfill the promises of earlier such movements, striving for a political order grounded in popular sovereignty and inclusion; it is also one that directly reflects the Myanmar's people's aspirations for a just and equitable society. Thus, Thame calls it a “redemptive revolution,” drawing on a concept developed by political theorist and cultural critic, Walter Benjamin, to refer a revolution that redeems or completes the work of past revolutionary efforts.
Thame highlights the grassroots nature of Myanmar's recent uprising, emphasizing its goal of dismantling the military's entrenched power, which has exerted control over every aspect of governance and posed a formidable barrier to progress since at least the 1962 coup. Thame emphasizes that the current revolution is about both political reform as well as achieving rights and inclusion for the country’s marginalized groups within a federal democratic state.
Thame contrasts the current uprising with “passive” and “negotiated” revolutions. Drawing on Marxist theory, particularly the work of Antonio Gramsci, Thame describes these types of revolutions as being when significant social changes are initiated by the ruling class to preserve their power, as opposed to their being grassroots mobilization. The outcome of such revolutions is not a political order that truly reflects the people’s will. Thame stresses that the revolution in Myanmar is committed to fully dismantling military power, rather than settling for power-sharing arrangements.
This leads to a discussion of how sovereignty is typically understood by the global community, which privileges territorial control and non-interference. Thame advocates for a redefinition of the concept to emphasize a government that truly reflects the people's will. He critiques how the international community, particularly neighboring countries and global powers, often legitimizes Myanmar's military rulers, despite widespread, popular opposition. Here he draws parallels with historical debates on sovereignty, particularly during the decolonization period, when newly independent nations struggled to assert their sovereignty against former colonial powers and internal authoritarian forces.
In fact, Thame even considers the international response to Myanmar’s revolution to be quite hypocritical. One example is how the global community—but particularly the West— has responded to the resistance’s use of violence. He calls out nations that were themselves founded through revolution, yet now refuse to support similar struggles elsewhere, arguing that those countries are unwilling to extend that same spirit of solidarity to other nations fighting for their freedom; they look for stability in the region, regardless of whether that stability is maintained through repression or democratic freedoms. Moreover, he notes that outside actors who criticize the use of violence by revolutionaries simultaneously provide tacit or direct support to the oppressive regimes that the revolutionaries are resisting! Thame is also critical when Western countries engage in judgmental, “both sides” rhetoric, without acknowledging either the significant asymmetry of power or the military’s use of violence on unarmed combatants. This, he contends, not only oversimplifies the conflict, but seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the revolutionary struggle for justice and equality.
Thame argues that while non-violence is obviously preferable, it is not always effective—especially against an adversary as entrenched and armed as Myanmar's military, which has consistently shown no hesitation in using brutal force indiscriminately against its own people. Drawing on historical parallels, Thame suggests that the people of Myanmar have learned from past failures and are now consciously choosing to pursue a combination of non-violent and armed strategies. Even so, he points out that this decision is not made lightly; it is shaped by the harsh realities faced by those on the ground who have repeatedly experienced the futility of non-violent resistance for decades. He emphasizes that the choice to engage in violence is ultimately up to those directly involved in the struggle, particularly when all peaceful avenues for change have been exhausted.
Thame attributes the international community's reluctance to provide greater support for the revolution mainly to fears of regional destabilization and upsetting the status quo. He notes that the major regional powers, China and India, have significant strategic and economic interests in Myanmar, including infrastructure projects and natural resource extraction, many in conjunction with the ruling junta. These entanglements have strongly shaped their lukewarm stance towards the revolution.
In closing, Thame emphasizes the importance of recognizing Myanmar’s revolution as a legitimate and necessary struggle for popular sovereignty. He urges the international community to support the people of Myanmar—not only in their fight against the military but also in their broader efforts to establish a new, inclusive political order.
"The revolution doesn't end with the military being defeated,” Thame says, addressing the broader aspirations that he hopes can be achieved. “The revolution would only end with the sort of realization of the aspirations that drove it originally: those aspirations, not just for a new constitution, but for fundamentally more equal society and overcoming those social, ethnic, religious, generational class cleavages. And I just hope, with all my power, that that is something that can be followed through on because once the military starts collapsing, as I believe it will.”
If you found this conversation of interest, we suggest the following past podcast episodes that explore similar themes:
· Anthony Davis’s long-standing expertise in insurgencies across Asia provides critical insight into Myanmar's rapidly evolving conflict. Highlighting the accelerated pace and widespread resistance against the military regime, his analysis reflects a broader understanding that adaptability and unity among resistance movements are key in countering authoritarian structures. Davis views the transformation underway in Myanmar as a true revolutionary movement, in contrast to many outside observers and international diplomats who resist accepting this reality and continue to apply the outdated and ineffective frameworks of negotiation and containment, instead.
· Matthew Arnold touches on Operation 1027, arguing that it has showcased extraordinary coordination among armed groups in Myanmar, resulting in a national resistance capable of reclaiming significant territory. His account reinforces the theme of strategic unity as a pivotal force in revolution.
· Azad goes into his transition from supporting the Rojava Revolution in Syria to assisting Myanmar's resistance, underscoring his commitment to global solidarity against oppression. His experiences tie into the universal theme of the interconnect struggle for democracy and self-determination, aligning diverse revolutions in a shared fight against authoritarianism.
· Bo Thanmani’s journey from monastic life to leading revolutionary activities illustrates his commitment to fostering unity among armed factions opposing Myanmar's military junta. His work reflects the pursuit of justice in the face of profound ethical and practical challenges.
· Lynn addresses his personal transformation from a nonviolent activist to a resistance leader. His journey reflects the recurring theme of moral struggle and the pursuit of self-determination under extreme conditions, paralleling broader narratives of resilience and adaptation in the face of authoritarian violence.
· Bhikkhu Bodhi shares that while the Buddhist precept of non-harm emphasizes the importance of avoiding killing, there are extreme circumstances now operating in Myanmar, and such cases as where one must protect others from immediate harm, the use of force might be reluctantly considered. He reflects on the ethical and karmic complexity of such actions, advocating for a calm mind and compassionate intent even in dire situations, and encourages thoughtful, nonviolent approaches whenever possible, aligning with the broader theme of ethical resilience under oppression.