Is Real Change Coming to Laos?

Generally known as one of the most repressive and politically sleepiest states in the world, Laos has seen more popular unrest and a much greater government response in the past year than in decades. The turmoil was capped off late last year, when it almost surely played a role in forcing Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh to resign, as the country faced high inflation, a severe currency crisis, a more vocal population, and numerous other problems.

In one of the world’s last formally communist states and a one-party regime in power since 1975, top leaders stepping down is almost unheard of, absent choreographed transfers. But Phankham had only been prime minister for less than two years, and he was pushed out, perhaps so popular opinion did not swell and demand the resignation of Laos’ president as well.

See my new World Politics Review column for more on whether Laos’ one-party state might face more extensive unrest amidst a swatch of economic and social problems.