Abstracts

This article examines the evolution of Burma/Myanmar's foreign policy in terms of its ideological orientations and evolution. The collapse of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) government in 1988 that had previously pursued a policy of neutrality obtained through self-imposed isolationism has been replaced by a much more realist foreign policy that views international relations and power in competitive terms. Myanmar also maintains a set of competitive relations with its near neighbours to stabilize the immediate external environment and stave off the impact of international sanctions. These bilateral relations are also calibrated to provide a balance-of-power between the three sets of relations in order to avoid being overwhelmed by any of them. All three near neighbours have many important and sensitive issues that are brought to bear on the relationships as well.