Lao People's Democratic Republic

Lao People's Democratic Republic ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ
Flag Emblem
Capital and largest city	Vientiane
Government	Marxist–Leninist Socialist state
• President	Thongloun Sisoulith
• Vice President	Bounthong Chitmany Pany Yathotou
• Prime Minister	Sonexay Siphandone
History
• Establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic	2 December 1975
Population
• 2022 estimate	7,749,595

Laos, officially, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is a modern-day socialist country, established in Southeast Asia after having achieved independence through its liberation movement led by Kaysone Phomvihane (a figure analogous to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh).

The Laotian constitution states that the LPRP "is a people’s democratic state" defending "the interests of the multi-ethnic people of all social strata with the workers, farmers and intelligentsia as key components."

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is one of only five socialist states in the world today (alongside Vietnam, Cuba, People's Korea and China). The Lao PDR adheres to Marxism–Leninism and Kaysone Phomvihane Thought as its guiding ideology.

History

Early history

In 1353, king Tiao Fangum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang, laying the foundations for the country of Laos. The kingdom needed to defend its independent existence from its neighbors such as Thailand and Myanmar on many different occasions. Notable events in pre-modern Laotian history include: the victory of Muong Khuc in 1536, when King Phothisalat defeated armies invading the country under the Ayuthaja(Thai) king; victory of king Sayasetha, in 1563 and 1569, against invading Myanmarese; a twenty-four year long struggle at the end of the 16th century against Myanmarese domination which resulted in the then Laotian king, who was their vassal being overthrown.

Starting from the eighteenth century, when the Laotian feudal power declined, the country was splintered, leaving room for Thai feudal lords to successfully invade. Decades long struggle ensued against foreign domination, which peaked under the leadership of Tiao Anouvong in 1827-1828. Although the struggle was not completely victorious, the brave struggle of the Laotian people was marked down in their history.

French colonization

The French colonialists invaded Laos in 1893 and secured the assistance of Comprador Feudalists against popular uprisings. In 1898, Laos was incorporated into French Indochina. Many instance of national revolt took place against colonial rule. Some nationwide and others more limited: Pho Cadouad's uprising took place in 1901-1902 at the heart of Laos, concurrent with the the long lasting uprising under the leadership of Ong Keo and Ong Kommadam which persisted for 36 years, from 1901 to 1937 in the country's south. The Lu people's resistance in Sing country from 1914 to 1918, the Meo people's struggle lead by Tiao Pha Patchay from 1918-1922 in a number of the northern provinces and the Thais resistance in the Sam Neua province in 1916, and many others. But owing to historical and international conditions, the uprisings were not able to cast off the French yoke.

On 9 March 1945, fascist Japan annexed French Indochina. After the Second World War, the Laotian monarchy began to support the independence movement against the French. Laos declared independence from France on 12 October 1945.

Revolution and civil war

See main article: Laotian Civil War

France recolonized Laos in 1949 with the help of the USA and UK. Souphanouvong founded the Pathet Lao in 1950 as the successor of anti-French nationalist groups.

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), led by Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, waged a war of liberation against the Kingdom of Laos and its allies, including the United States. The three forces in the Laotian Civil War were the monarchists led by Boun Oum, the liberals led by Souvanna Phouma, and the communist Pathet Lao. In 1954, communist forces liberated the province of Phongsaly and most of Luang Prabang from French colonizers, forcing the French to give Laos independence under King Sisavang Vong.

The CIA and State Department organized coups in Laos in 1958, 1959, and 1960. During the civil war, the US military dropped 2.5 million tons of bombs on Laos between 1964 and 1973—more than they dropped in all of World War II, killing hundreds of thousands and turning a quarter of Laotians into refugees. 78 million unexploded bombs remained after the war, which still kill or injure 50 civilians every year. The CIA also spent $500 million training Hmongs to fight on behalf of the monarchy.

The United States withdrew from Laos after the Viet Minh's victory in Vietnam in April 1975. In December 1975, the Pathet Lao took power and established a socialist republic in Laos, abolishing the monarchy.

Independence

After liberation, Kaysone would dominate Laotian politics until his death in 1992. Laos signed a 25-year friendship treaty with Vietnam in 1977. The First Five-Year Plan began in 1981, but only achieved an economic growth rate of 5% per year. In 1986, Laos began the New Economic Mechanism, based on the New Economic Policy of the USSR. By the end of the Second Five-Year Plan, rice production had doubled and sugar production had increased by 40%.

Economy

The main investors in Laos's economy are China, Vietnam, and the DPRK. Mining takes up 7% of the Laotian economy and includes gold, silver, copper, tin, and potash mines. Industry takes up 28.6% of the economy. Hydroelectric power forms 30% of Laos's exports, and Laos is projected to be able to export 14.6 gigawatts of electricity to neighboring countries by 2025.

Working conditions

Working hours are limited to 48 hours per week or eight hours per day. Paid sick leave, vacation time, and maternity leave are all provided. Workers are well-represented in trade unions and workers' councils.

Geography

Physical Map of Laos

Laos is a landlocked country and straddled between the tropical monsoon climate which prevails in the Southern half of the country and the temperate and mountainous climate of the North.

Governance

Efforts against malnutrition

In recent years, the issue of malnutrition is still present in Laos, though the government has made inroads in combating this problem with the help of UNICEF. In addition, Laos has tackled such problems as inequality and poverty in its aim to shed its Least Developed Country Status by 2024. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and as The Laotian Times reports, "Lao PDR’s Human Development Index (HDI) value which is calculated based on the life expectancy, level of education and income per capita of a country’s people, has increased by over 50% since 1990." From 1992 to 2008, the poverty rate decreased from 46% to 28%. Laos is also the only ASEAN member to give up luxury state cars in a move by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to reclaim all Lao leaders' luxury vehicles.

Politics

International solidarity

In 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed a 25-year treaty of friendship, and Vietnamese advisors provided much-needed expertise in government and economic policies. Vietnam and Laos fit together, as the common saying goes, “like lips and teeth.” Laos grew closer to Vietnam as its primary trade partner and only route to the sea. The Soviet Union provided most foreign aid to Laos and especially the Laotian armed forces.

Further reading

• Revolution in Laos: Practice and Prospects (Kaysone Phomvihane)