SEA essay outline

How far do you agree that political legitimacy in post-independent Southeast Asian states was obtained mainly through violent measures? Role of military violence in quelling insurgencies and unrest compared to inability of PD governments to handle security threats [BURMA] U Nu’s weak PD govt was insensitive to the desires of the ethnic minorities. As a result of the broken promise of the creation of separate states for the Arakanese and Mons,minority insurgents that controlled 10% of Burma broke out in 1961. This undermined the credibility of the PD govt as they were unable to deal with the security threat. On the other hand, Ne Win’s military government arrested the minority leaders, such as those from the Shan tribe, hence crushing the insurgencies. [INDONESIA]Under Sukarno’s rule, the Indonesian army played a key role in crushing the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) separatist movements in Sumatra and South Sulawesi in 1958 that had declared counter-government to Sukarno’s rule in West Sumatra with their own Prime Minister. In situations where the incumbent governments proved unable to secure political consensus and garner mass support to bring about political legitimacy, the military would step in and use force to directly take control and pave the way for strong political leadership for the masses. [BURMA]Under U Nu’s rule, factionalism plagued the AFPFL as he was unable to manage the increasing internal disputes. Furthermore, even after elections were enabled by the military in 1960, U Nu’s New Union Party still failed to hold the country. In 1962, Ne Win led the army in a coup to take over the government and consolidate his control over Burma through the Revolutionary Council. [INDONESIA]Sukarno’s Guided Democracy had failed to bring about political stability with competing rival factions of the PKI and the military. This culminated in the PKI abortive coup against Sukarno led by the Revolutionary Council on 30th September 1965. This necessitated General Suharto to take over and tighten political control by purging political opponents in the Gestapu Affair. After the abortive coup, PKI was outlawed and the military was purged of its communist elements. PKI supporters were also massacred in central and East Java and Bali. [Counter]However, while the use of violent measures was necess