1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910345119803321

Autore

Smith Martin T.

Titolo

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

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Singapore : , : ISEAS Publishing, , [2007]

©2007

ISBN

981-230-480-0

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource

Collana

Policy studies State of strife

Disciplina

305.8009591

Soggetti

Ethnic conflict - Burma

Regions & Countries - Asia & the Middle East

Southeast Asia

History & Archaeology

Burma Ethnic relations Political aspects

Burma Politics and government 1948-

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Acronyms -- Executive Summary -- Introduction -- A Land Trapped in Conflict -- The Cycles of Conflict -- The Contemporary Landscape -- 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

Sommario/riassunto

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.