Everyday economic survival in Myanmar / Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thawnghmung, Ardeth Maung, author.

Series:

New perspectives in Southeast Asian studies.

New perspectives in Southeast Asian studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Burma--Social conditions--21st century.

Burma.

Burma--Economic conditions--21st century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (309 pages).

Place of Publication:

Madison, Wisconsin : The University of Wisconsin Press, [2019]

Summary:

Reforms in Myanmar (formerly Burma) have eased restrictions on citizens' political activities. Yet for most Burmese, Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung shows, eking out a living from day to day leaves little time for civic engagement. Citizens have coped with extreme hardship through great resourcefulness. But by making bad situations more tolerable in the short term, these coping strategies may hinder the emergence of the democratic values needed to sustain the country's transition to a more open political environment.Thawnghmung conducted in-depth interviews and surveys of 372 individuals from all walks of life and across geographical locations in Myanmar between 2008 and 2015. To frame her analysis, she provides context from countries with comparable political and economic situations. Her findings will be welcomed by political scientists and policy analysts, as well by journalists and humanitarian activists looking for substantive, reliable information about everyday life in a country that remains largely in the shadows.

Contents:

Introduction

Variations in coping strategies

Living frugally

Working on the side

Networks, community, and external aid

Boosting morale

Accommodating, resisting, and exiting

Conclusion: Implications for regime change and democracy.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780299320638

0299320634