Ne Win

Ne Win (Burmese: နေဝင်း; born Shu Maung; 14 May 1910 – 5 December 2002) was a Burmese politician and military commander who served as Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and from 1962 to 1974, and as President of Burma from 1962 to 1981. He was the paramount leader of Burma from 1962 to 1988.

Ne Win's rule was marked by the implementation of the "Burmese Way to Socialism," an isolationist policy that nationalized industries and implemented a one-party system under the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). This period saw economic stagnation and political repression.

His career began as a postman before he became involved in nationalist movements seeking independence from British rule. He played a key role in the anti-Japanese resistance during World War II. After independence in 1948, he rose through the ranks of the military, eventually becoming commander-in-chief.

In 1958, he was appointed Prime Minister by U Nu to restore order amidst political instability. He relinquished power after elections in 1960 but seized control again in a military coup in 1962.

Ne Win's government faced numerous challenges, including ethnic insurgencies and economic mismanagement. He resigned as President in 1981, but retained significant political influence as Chairman of the BSPP until 1988, when mass pro-democracy protests led to his ouster.

Following the 1988 uprising, Ne Win largely retreated from public life. He was later placed under house arrest in 2002 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. He died later that year. His legacy remains controversial, with some crediting him with preserving national unity while others criticize his authoritarian rule and disastrous economic policies.