Governance in Myanmar: Not From the Barrel of a Gun!

“Our standard of treating the population that we govern has to be right! We cannot just treat them differently because we have guns and control the area. If we think that political authority comes from the barrel of the gun, then we are heading towards dictatorship. But if we believe that our authority to govern comes from the consent of the governed, we are heading in the right direction.”

Saw Kapi, a prominent Myanmar activist and educator, began his involvement in the pro-democracy movement during the 1988 uprising against military rule. After joining the resistance along the Thai-Burma border, he focused on the transformative power of education. Returning to the country during the transition period, Saw Kapi helped to prepare young Burmese for international scholarships which could nurture future leaders. This was work he was wholeheartedly committed to … until the military launched a coup in 2021.

Since then, Saw Kapi has been focusing on promoting decentralized governance in Myanmar as part of his broader vision for a federal, democratic union. Yearning for a society in which power is derived not from force of arms, but from the people’s will, he hopes to empower local communities to take responsibility for their governance. This is accomplished through building systems where decisions are made closer to the people—emphasizing public participation and consent—rather than imposed from above by a central authority. To that end, Saw Kapi is now training local leaders and administrators in the theory and practice of grassroots governance. He believes that developing local, public administration structures will strengthen the foundations for a democracy, serving local needs and fostering long-term, sustainable governance in Myanmar's diverse regions.

The above quote from Saw Kapi pierces through Myanmar’s turbulent political landscape, resonating deeply despite the backdrop of oppression and conflict. Saw Kapi champions a vision of leadership rooted in respect and consent. His work emboldens communities to reclaim their voice, striving to dismantle the chains of dictatorship and carve a future where the authorities serves, rather than subjugates, the people.