Myanamar: There has to be immediate change in governace

The dire situations in cyclone-battered Myanmar and quake-tossed southwestern China have drawn out the world -- there has been a huge outpouring of sympathy (emotional giving) and financial support (monetary giving) to the victims of these disasters.

What makes human beings give -- emotionally and monetarily? Scientists tell us that we are hard-wired to help others, to drop everything in crisis situations. It has to be a crisis but it also has to a new and a sharp situation.

Note that even crises can lose their newness and sharpness after sometime, and perceptually and emotionally become a routine irritant. That is the case with Darfur. Is the situation in Darfur a crisis? Yes but we are tired of it and so the urge to give has died. That's why it is important to deal with the crisis immediately, otherwise everyone becomes worn out and distraction sets in.

The military junta in Burma has accepted the terrible conditions of its citizenry as a matter of fact and necessity to maintain control and power. That partly explains the junta's horrendous response to the tragedy and shockingly tawdry relief efforts. On the other hand, the Chinese political leadership (while not a paragon of tolerance or democracy) is aspirational -- it is intent on growing China and improving the lot of its citizens. So the Chinese political leadership has not become jaded as the military junta in Burma has.

It is time for the world -- including China and India -- to demand changes in the governance of Myanmar. The current junta has lost its conscience, and with the loss that conscience the ability to be shocked and roused.