Burma's enigmatic dictator: The consolidation of Senior General Than Shwe's power

In September 2007, thousands of Buddhist monks took to the streets of Burma to protest the undemocratic rule of the military regime, the State Peace and Development Council. As the regime responded with brute force by arresting the monks, understanding how this regime gained power and the methods used to maintain power became increasingly important to the global, democratic community. This case study of Burma uses discourse analysis to examine the power consolidation tactics and legitimacy by drawing primarily on official speeches, propaganda, state-run media, and official functions. This thesis examines the impact of Buddhism on Burmese politics, as well as the role of ethnicity, to provide insight into how the junta leadership manipulates them to justify its rule and maintain legitimacy. It also identifies how civilian organizations are used, in conjunction with propaganda, to create a culture of obedience to the regime.