Burma Socialist Party
Encyclopedia
The Burma Socialist Party, initially known as the People's Freedom (Socialist) Party was a political party
in Burma. BSP was the dominant party in Burmese politics after 1948. It was the dominant political force inside the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
.
The party was founded in September 1945. It was a successor to the wartime People's Revolutionary Party. The military elite actively supported the build-up of the party. The party was founded in order to counter the influence of the Communist Party of Burma
within the AFPFL. Before the foundation of the PF(S)P, the communists had openly emerged as a bloc inside AFPFL. The PF(S)P was founded by a nucleus consisting of Ba Swe, Kyaw Nyein and five others.
As Thakin Mya
arrived in Rangoon in 1945, he became the chairman of the party. Ba Swe served as general secretary and Kyaw Nyein as joint secretary.
Seeking to counter the influence of the communist All Burma Trade Union Congress
, the socialists launched the Trade Union Congress (Burma)
in November 1945.
In 1947 Thakin Mya was murdered alongside Aung San
. Ko Ko Gyi became the new party chairman in July 1947. However in the summer of 1948, he was asked to resign from his positions in the party and the government. In reaction, Ko Ko Gyi left the party and joined the underground insurgency. After Ko Ko Gyi's defection, the post of chairman was abolished in the party. From that period onwards, the party was led by Ba Swe and Kyaw Nyein.
In 1948 the name of the party was changed to 'Burma Socialist Party'. In 1949 it became the 'Union of Socialist Party'. From 1950 onwards it was again called the 'Burma Socialist Party'. The party published The Socialist Front Weekly Journal.
The party initially relied on support from affiliated mass organisations such as the Workers' Asiayone, Peasants' Asiayone, Women's Asiayone, etc.. However, after 1950 the party developed into more of a cadre party. The strong links to the Trade Union Congress (Burma) was retained though.
In December 1950 the party suffered a severe split, as the leftwing tendency in the party broke away and formed the Burma Workers and Peasants Party. The membership of the Burma Socialist Party is estimated to have dropped from around 2,000 to just 200 as a consequence of the split.
By 1956, the party membership was estimated at 6,000.
The party was dissolved in 1964.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Burma. BSP was the dominant party in Burmese politics after 1948. It was the dominant political force inside the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962...
.
The party was founded in September 1945. It was a successor to the wartime People's Revolutionary Party. The military elite actively supported the build-up of the party. The party was founded in order to counter the influence of the Communist Party of Burma
Communist Party of Burma
The Communist Party of Burma is the oldest existing political party in Burma. The party is unrecognised by the Burmese authorities, rendering it illegal; so it operates in a clandestine manner, often associating with insurgent armies along the border of People's Republic of China...
within the AFPFL. Before the foundation of the PF(S)P, the communists had openly emerged as a bloc inside AFPFL. The PF(S)P was founded by a nucleus consisting of Ba Swe, Kyaw Nyein and five others.
As Thakin Mya
Thakin Mya
Thakin Mya was a Burmese lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Home Affairs in Myanmar's pre-independence government. Mya and six other cabinet ministers were assassinated on 19 July 1947 in Yangon. July 19 is commemorated each year as the Martyrs' Day in Myanmar.The Thakin Mya Park...
arrived in Rangoon in 1945, he became the chairman of the party. Ba Swe served as general secretary and Kyaw Nyein as joint secretary.
Seeking to counter the influence of the communist All Burma Trade Union Congress
All Burma Trade Union Congress
The All Burma Trade Union Congress was a central trade union organisation in Burma. ABTUC was founded on January 30, 1940. ABTUC had its origins in the All Burma Labour Conference, which had been assembled by the Thakins in July 1939...
, the socialists launched the Trade Union Congress (Burma)
Trade Union Congress (Burma)
The Trade Union Congress was a central trade union organization in Burma. The TUC was founded by the Socialist Party in November 1945, in an attempt to counter the influence of the communist-led All Burma Trade Union Congress. Ba Cho was the President of TUC...
in November 1945.
In 1947 Thakin Mya was murdered alongside Aung San
Aung San
Bogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
. Ko Ko Gyi became the new party chairman in July 1947. However in the summer of 1948, he was asked to resign from his positions in the party and the government. In reaction, Ko Ko Gyi left the party and joined the underground insurgency. After Ko Ko Gyi's defection, the post of chairman was abolished in the party. From that period onwards, the party was led by Ba Swe and Kyaw Nyein.
In 1948 the name of the party was changed to 'Burma Socialist Party'. In 1949 it became the 'Union of Socialist Party'. From 1950 onwards it was again called the 'Burma Socialist Party'. The party published The Socialist Front Weekly Journal.
The party initially relied on support from affiliated mass organisations such as the Workers' Asiayone, Peasants' Asiayone, Women's Asiayone, etc.. However, after 1950 the party developed into more of a cadre party. The strong links to the Trade Union Congress (Burma) was retained though.
In December 1950 the party suffered a severe split, as the leftwing tendency in the party broke away and formed the Burma Workers and Peasants Party. The membership of the Burma Socialist Party is estimated to have dropped from around 2,000 to just 200 as a consequence of the split.
By 1956, the party membership was estimated at 6,000.
The party was dissolved in 1964.