We here in the US have been treated to very positive mainstream media coverage of what they, their pundits, and government leaders describe as advances in "democracy" in Myanmar. Such positive media treatment of political events in more obscure countries always triggers alarm bells in my head. I've wondered what was really happening there. I regard Gowans as an extremely reputable analyst of political events, and this piece make absolute sense to me given the history of the Empire in relation to countries not under its direct influence.
Although the cost of integrating Libya into the neo-liberal Empire was high, it is widely regarded as worthwhile by Empire political operatives because of the lesson it gives to other countries that try to pursue independent paths.
...the Libyan experience must have proven persuasive enough to make the Rangoon leaders step willfully into line. From an economy under government control, Myanmar today is eagerly genuflecting before an onslaught of foreign investors zeroing in to dispossess her.