ABSTRACT
In his account of tyranny, Aristotle speaks of a third kind which, being neither based on law nor a monarchic rule over willing persons, is a sort of counterpart to absolute kingship and is most particularly held to be tyranny.1 It is possible to show how Burma lies within Aristotle’s description of rule over the unwilling and to illustrate how the Burmese generals have adopted the brutish tactics which Aristotle says are required to preserve such a regime. In their efforts to make their rule longer lasting, more recently the generals have also been assuming the duties of past kings, providing a performance of the part of kingly rulers.
