Anna Tan [in] Journal of Asian Affairs, Volume 52, 2021 – Issue 3
This article attempts a broad assessment of the strengths and limitations of human rights diplomacy in Myanmar, primarily from the perspective of Western governments. As needed, Burmese perspectives are considered. The impact on Myanmar is focused on three main areas: (a) promoting political, civil, and socioeconomic liberties and fundamental freedoms; (b) mitigating and reducing existing anti-human rights practices and war crimes; and (c) neorealist concerns about Myanmar being under the democratic West’s orbit rather than China’s authoritarian shadow. This article is neither a review of Myanmar’s democratization history nor a summary of Myanmar’s overall relations with the West.