General Aung San reviewed the deteriorating situation in Burma in 1946, noting that money was scarce, prices were high, agriculture was in chaos, and education and salaries were extremely low. Discrimination was common and civil liberties were curtailed. However, a local newspaper had claimed money was more plentiful than ever. General Aung San argued there was a gap between this theoretical viewpoint and the reality of most people in Burma struggling daily to survive. He stressed the importance of considering both theory and reality, as well as where data is based, to understand economic conditions accurately.