Doublethink and Dictatorship: The Legitimacy of the State in Burma/Myanmar
The immesurable tragedy that unfolded in Myanmar last month is a sobering reminder of the extent to which poor governance can multiply human suffering in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The Burmese military government’s delay of humanitarian assistance and hostile attitude towards the international community undoubtedly increased the death toll of the cyclone, and stands out as another black mark on the regime’s claims to legitimacy. As Hamish Low describes, even before their deadly mismanagement of the cyclone, the Burmese Junta’s illegitimacy was patently clear.
China’s Death Grip on Tibet
Recent unrest in Tibet and the protests which followed the Olympic Torch relay around the world have attracted a new level of international attention to the long standing struggle between Tibet and China. Scott Lowe gives some insight into the history of this struggle and addresses the question that baffles so many in the West – why the PRC is so unwilling to consider Tibetan independence.
From suffering to liberation: Mindfulness meditation in critical pedagogy
This article explores the problems and possibilities of implementing Buddhist mindfulness meditation in critical pedagogy. Buddhism and critical pedagogy are compared, particularly their conceptions of suffering, liberation, and self. Challenges to the adaptation of critical pedagogy in Buddhist cultural contexts are addressed. Mindfulness meditation is proposed to enrich critical pedagogy and expand its cultural applicability.