Juan Carlos Eusebio

ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNING ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE 4 SOCIAL CLASSES OF MYANMAR Elite ➢ The Elite will definitely support candidates that can benefit them through business incentives and socio-economic improvements of Myanmar. ➢ Since most of the elites are jumping ship to support the NLD, in an interview to the spokesperson of USDP, the party’s executive committee vows to improve law and order in Myanmar. By ensuring the nation that every crime will be held accountable, it will be deemed as a powerful message against the elites that are taking advantage of the weaknesses of the current system that have negatively affected the lower classes. Raising the awareness of the people towards the malicious wrong-doings of the elite would minimize the elite’s support value for NLD. Educated, Rich and Aging Strata ➢ Most of the rich are related to powerful people in the military regime and ethnic Chinese. USDP must make a good impression to every prominent personality in Myanmar to boost their chances in the upcoming general elections. ➢ Due to the current government’s incompetency on addressing the solution for Myanmar’s important needs, this class is losing faith to NLD’s brand of governance and losing faith for its voting rights, which means the USDP must encourage this class to place their votes by assuring them that their role towards an efficient government would benefit Myanmar. ➢ However, the image of USDP and its connection with the military must convince this class in order to attract the voters from NLD during the previous elections. ➢ This class will support the party that would improve the educational system in Myanmar. Improvements in the literacy rate of Myanmar was one of NLD’s major goals, however, due to conflicts that have happened, the plans for improving the country’s educational system took a step back. The USDP must ensure the educated class that the educational system in Myanmar will improve. Middle Class ➢ Economic development is more prioritized than democracy. ➢ The USDP must also provide solutions for the country’s problem with foreign investment in order to provide more job opportunities for its people. ➢ Job security, transportation improvements, and technological advancements are vital subjects that could get the majority of the voters from the middle class. Lower Class ➢ The most vulnerable targets for both NLD and USPD parties, the lower class must be swayed with what the USDP is vying for, by providing job opportunities, proper health care, a solution to hunger, education, and other necessary needs. ➢ The USDP’s approach will be the key to obtain the votes from the lower class. The candidate must connect with those in poverty and make them feel that the party prioritizes on making equitable solutions for the betterment of the poor’s stature. ➢ The party should maintain an image that would provide equal opportunities to every stakeholder. Due to the mishandling of NLD’s ruling party of the Rohingya Refugee Crisis, the current administration has generated various opposers, especially from the religious sectors and the international community. The USDP must have a platform for the religiously oppressed population to ensure peace within their country. As it was mentioned by the spokesperson of USDP, that the executive committee is supporting freedom of religion, the party must serve as a reliable solution for those who are being affected by oppression. According to reports, most of the middle-class voters preferred to vote for NLD during the 2015 elections because of fear towards the military. The USDP must deviate the fear of the majority to its military alliances and focus their attention on NLD’s incompetence in every aspect to run their version of a democratic government. The party must field candidates that are charismatic and smart, relatable to all social classes, especially to the middle and lower classes. Also, the party should look united and inclusive to all stakeholders, produce quality and experienced leaders in order to bear an image of competency and integrity for the upcoming general elections. USDP’s inclusion of small political and local parties is a great step towards preparations in the upcoming general elections. However, the party should give more emphasis on this positive matter and exert more efforts on recruiting supporters for their party. SOURCES • TOWARDS A “NORMALIZATION” OF THE POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF THE ELITES IN MYANMAR (http://www.academia.edu/-/Towards_a_normalization_of_the_political_sociology _of_the_elites_in_Myanmar) • THE REFORM RHETORIC OF MYANMAR’S RULING ELITE • (http://sea-globe.com/reform-rhetoric-myanmar-ruling-elite/) • SOCIETY, RICH CRONIES AND POVERTY IN MYANMAR (http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Myanmar/sub5_5c/entry-3065.html) • 5 KEY INSIGHTS INTO MYANMAR’S ELECTION FROM UNPRECEDENTED SURVEY (https://coconuts.co/yangon/5-key-insights-myanmar-election-nationwide-voter-survey/) • USDP SEEKING TO MAKE COMEBACK IN 2020 ELECTIONS (https://www.mmtimes.com/news/usdp-seeking-make-comeback-2020-elections.html) • NEW MYANMAR GOVERNMENT FACES ETHNIC RIFTS, ENTRENCHED ELITE (https://freedomhouse.org/blog/new-myanmar-government-faces-ethnic-rifts-entrenchedelite) • MYANMAR STRUGGLES TO SUSTAIN FOREIGN INVESTMENT (https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Myanmar-struggles-to-sustain-foreign-investment) • OPTIMISM ON MYANMAR’S TRANSITION (https://www.mmtimes.com/opinion/9908-optimism-on-Myanmar-s-transition.html) • CHANGES TO MYANMAR’S EDUCATIONAL SECTOR NEEDED (https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/learning-curve-changes-are-needed-revitalisecountry%E2%80%99s-schools)