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Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Email Print Reprints Read Super-rich investors buy gold by ton 04 Oct 2010 Drone strike kills 8 Germans in northwest Pakistan | 04 Oct 2010 U.S. sues AmEx, Visa, MasterCard, latter two settle 04 Oct 2010 Dieters need a good night's sleep to fight fat: study 04 Oct 2010 Iran blames Bushehr delay on "small leak," not virus 04 Oct 2010 Discussed 69 Health reform to worsen doctor shortage: group 61 U.S. apologizes for syphilis experiment in Guatemala 60 Ex-maid says Whitman knowingly employed her illegally Watched Uncovering the mysteries of the deep Mon, Oct 4 2010 Red faces over top model gaff Tue, Sep 28 2010 Ocean census reveals deep secrets Mon, Oct 4 2010 Can an "election of generals" help reform Myanmar? Tweet This Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Factbox Myanmar's shift to democracy 1:00am EDT Analysis & Opinion Pakistan, India and the value of democracy Related Topics World » By Martin Petty BANGKOK | Tue Oct 5, 2010 1:01am EDT BANGKOK (Reuters) - By holding an election to legitimize decades of military rule, Myanmar's power-hungry generals may have inadvertently created a framework for a democratic system they might not be able to control. An army-dominated political process will culminate in November 7 polls dubbed an "election of generals" and widely dismissed as a sham, but there is hope that the system could spur reforms and gradually take power away from authoritarian military officers. For now, few expect any change to the status quo, just more suits and a lot less army uniforms. Most analysts say a transfer of power to civilians -- whether intentional or not -- would be an evolutionary process of at least a decade. "Of course the election won't be free and fair, but there's a chance here that over time, more political space will be created," said Georgetown University's David Steinberg, a veteran Myanmar analyst who has studied the former British colony since before the generals seized power in a 1962 coup. "There's potential for improvements to the economy and for the first time in decades, a parliament will convene and normal people will have some voice." But it's almost certain that voice will be silent at first. Myanmar's complex and verbose constitution, which few Burmese admit to having read, appears to be a blueprint for cementing the military's grip on power, with recently retired generals poised to win scores of parliament and senate seats, in addition to the 25 percent quota reserved for serving soldiers. Restrictive election laws and steep registration fees mean pro-democracy parties will present no challenge to two well-heeled pro-military parties, whose lawmakers are sure to choose a powerful army-backed president whose policies and ministerial appointments will sail through parliament. But even with the generals still at the helm, analysts expect they will initiate some reforms -- perhaps self-serving -- in the resource-rich country's ailing economy after decades of mismanagement, corruption and crippling western sanctions. WISER POLICIES? "The election might help with the overall civilianization of the government and so lead to slightly wiser economic policies," said Josh Kurlantzick, a Southeast Asia expert at the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations think tank. He said, however, it was unlikely much would change in the near-term. A privatization drive is underway, although the process has been extremely opaque and fraught with cronyism, benefitting the junta and its allies among a wealthy civilian elite set to become the country's economic powerbrokers for years to come. There are now 19 private banks -- four owned by tycoons close to the generals and targeted by western sanctions -- which will provide more branches, cash machines and small loans, although Australian economist Sean Turnell, a Myanmar expert, dismissed the banks as "cash-boxes" and "playthings" for their rich owners. But the mass selloff of about 300 state assets this year in areas like banking, telecommunications, transport and shipping may not be all bad. It has transferred vital sectors away from the direct control of notoriously corrupt and inept generals. Perhaps of more benefit to the population are plans to improve agriculture, which employs about 70 percent of the population and accounts for more than half of Myanmar's economic output. Under British rule, Myanmar was once the world's biggest rice exporter and is aiming to become a top exporter again. It shipped more than 1 million metric tons in 2009. 1 2 Next World Add a Comment *We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. 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