State of Strife : The Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict in Burma / Martin T. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Martin T., author.

Contributor:

Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Content Provider.

East-West Center Washington, Content Provider.

Series:

Policy studies State of strife

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethnic conflict--Burma.

Ethnic conflict.

Burma--Ethnic relations--Political aspects.

Burma.

Burma--Politics and government--1948-.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Singapore : ISEAS Publishing, [2007]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Since independence in 1948, Burma has been the scene of some of the most-sustained and diverse ethnic insurgencies in the contemporary world. This study examines the dynamics of conflict that have caused internal wars to become so uniquely entrenched in one of Asia's most troubled lands. Against a backdrop of conflict, different nationality movements have been able to adapt and survive, utilizing the changing political, economic, and international conditions in the country. In the process, armed opposition became a way of life in the borderlands, while the central state became increasingly militarized. Burma's conflicts, however, have not been static. This study identifies five major cycles of conflict that have seen the national government transform from a parliamentary democracy at independence through Gen. Ne Win's "Burmese Way to Socialism" to the current military State Peace and Development Council. As the political impasse continues, ethnic ceasefires and open-door economic policies are changing the structures of conflict. In an overview of humanitarian and international dilemmas, the study concludes that conflict resolution-with integrated support from the international community-remains a primary need if Burma and its peoples are to achieve peace, democracy, and a stable nation-state.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Acronyms

Executive Summary

Introduction

A Land Trapped in Conflict

The Cycles of Conflict

The Contemporary Landscape

Endnotes

Bibliography

Appendix

Project Information: Internal Conflicts and State-Building Challenges in Asia

List of Reviewers 2006-07

Policy Studies: Previous Publications

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

ISBN:

9789812304803

9812304800

OCLC:

1041973609