This book examines the origins and consequences of Burmaampampaposs current policies from military political social and economic perspectives. It analyzes the Asian decision to constructively engage Burma especially in economic affairs versus the position of the United States and many other Western countries to treat Burma as a pariah. Other chapters focus on the drug trade Burma produces more than 60 percent of the worldampampaposs heroin the growing role of China as Burmaampampaposs military and economic big brother political culture and democratic traditions the unsustainable nature of current economic growth shortfalls in education and health systems and Burmaampampaposs potential for foreign investment.