Myanmar has faced numerous divisions that hinder its democratization and peacebuilding processes since emerging out of decades of military dictatorship. The coup d’état in 2021 terminated Myanmar’s limited and nascent democratization under the civilian leadership of the National League for Democracy (NLD); not only did the coup regime resurface old struggles, but also created new ones.
Against the backdrop of Myanmar’s changing political landscapes from military to quasi-civilian to civilian rule in 2016, and back to military rule in 2021, the book discusses the various forms of interconnected struggles, both old and new. In this process, the contributed chapters come together to highlight the changing dynamics of stakeholders, relations between agents and beneficiaries, and the generated evolutionary processes in Myanmar’s democratization and its reversal.
This book brings an even mix of researchers both within and outside of Myanmar to critically discuss how different agents and their interactions, in the form of center-periphery as well as state-non-state relations, continuously shape today’s political landscape. Its interdisciplinary composition also invites readers from various backgrounds to grasp with engaged research that identifies the various challenges and addresses ways in which to facilitate change from local and international perspectives.
Author(s): Makiko Takeda, Chosein Yamahata
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 259
City: Singapore
Foreword
Contents
Editors and Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part I Introduction: Challenging Reality
1 Post-coup Myanmar: Military, Divisions, and Atrocities
Introduction: Continuing Struggles
Repositioning the Military: “Roadmap to Dictatorship”
Remaining Divisions: Towards Civic Vision
The Majority-Minority Divide
Frictions Between Signatories and Non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement
Gender Divisions Remains an Issue
Escalating Atrocities: Systematic State-Sponsored Violence
From a Struggling Country to a New Myanmar?
Conclusion: Uncovering Salient Features
References
2 NLD’s Governance in Myanmar’s Short-Lived Democracy: Reforms, Weaknesses and Challenges
Introduction
Overview of the NLD’s Governance and Policy Reforms
Daunting Challenges and Weaknesses
Reforms Gaining Momentum
Conclusion
References
3 Aung San Suu Kyi’s Leadership and Its Contradictions: Reflections on the General Election of November 2020
From a Global Perspective
The Election Results: An Overview
The Problems of Majoritarianism
Conclusions: The Contradictions of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Leadership
Appendixes
References
Part II Struggling Myanmar
4 Language Policy, Ethnic Identity, and Majority-Minority Relations in Myanmar
Introduction
Language, Social Identity, and Group Mobilization
Majority-Minority Relations: Processes and Alternatives
Language Policy in the Past and Present
British Colonial Period (1824–1948)
Parliamentary Period (1948–1962)
Socialist Period and the SLORC/SPDC Period (1962–2011)
Democratic Transition Period (2011–Present)
Language Policy and Practices and their Impact on Ethnic Identity and Conflict
Conclusion
References
5 A Threatened Identity in Chinland of Burma/Myanmar: A Glimpse of Freedom of Religion and Belief
Introduction
The Chin, Christianity, and Civilization or Development
Burma, Buddhism and Burmese Nationalism
National Identity and Religion, and Freedom of Religion and Belief
Conclusion
References
6 Development Policy and Processes in Kachin State: Development from Above During the Ceasefire Period (1994–2010)
Introduction
Background History
Development in Kachin State
Meanings of Development in Kachin State
Development During Ceasefire Periods (1994–2010)
Effects of Development on Political and Conflict Dynamics
Lessons Learnt for Current Development in Kachin State
Other Development and Contestation in Kachin State
References
7 Ethnic Children at the Thai-Burma Border: Community-Based Organizations Promoting the Rights and Equality
Introduction
Civil Society in Myanmar
A Brief History of Civil Society
An Overview of Local Civil Society
Challenges of Civil Society
International Treaty on Children’s Rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
The Situation for Children in Myanmar
A Case of Civil Society Protecting Children’s Rights in Myanmar
Mae Tao Clinic (MTC)
Conclusion
References
8 The Role of Tatmadaw in Myanmar’s Transformation: A Burmese Version of Indonesia’s Dwifungsi
Introduction
A Burmese Dwifungsi
The (Self-Perceived) Leading Role
The Legalisation of the Leading Role
The Military Factions at the (Royal) Capital
Understanding the Myanmar Spring
Arduous Mending Fences
The Elections and the Coup
Conclusion
References
9 Failure of Third Force’s Role in Unlinking Myanmar Political Changes with Aung San Suu Kyi
Introduction
Research Methodology
Myanmar Political Landscape
Findings
Internal Politics Within the Military
Relationship Between the Military Regime and its Political Opponents
The Role of the Third Force in the 2010 Transition
Military-sponsored democracy after 2010
Failure of the Third Force’s Ad hoc Concept
Dual-Leadership After 2015 Elections
A Dramatic Reversal of Authoritarianism in the Twenty-First Century
Feasible Ways for Peacebuilding and National Reconciliation
A New Constitution for National Reconciliation
Hold the Tatmadaw Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity to End the Culture of Impunity
Support Civilian Struggle to End the Military Dictatorship in Myanmar
Conclusion
References
Part III Conclusion: A Promising Future?
10 Hope at the End of the Tunnel: Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement and Moving Toward a More Inclusive Myanmar
Hope for a New Future on the Other Side of Struggle
In the Face of Grim Developments, a Chance for Dissidents to Radically Revisit and Restructure Myanmar’s Rigid National Identity
Myanmar’s Democratically Elected Government Squandered Previous Opportunities for Transformational Change
The National Unity Government: A Chance at Redemption, and Meaningful Inclusion
References
11 Fracturing the Monolith: Could Military Defections End the Dictatorship in Myanmar?
Introduction
The Importance of Military Defection
Hardliners and Softliners
Sources of Cohesion
Sources of Contention
Conclusion
References
12 For My Country from Country I Live: Collective Resistance and New Revolution Against Military Dictatorship
‘My Country’ Versus the ‘Country Where I Live’
Myanmar Diaspora All Over the World and in the USA
Role of Diaspora Before the Coup Attempt
What Happened After the Coup Attempt?
Role of Diaspora After the Coup Attempt
The Spring Revolution and a Decentralised Strategy for Federal Democracy
Different Conceptions of Resolving Conflict and People’s Desires
References
13 The National Unity Government: Legitimacy and Recognition
The Campaign for Recognition
The Response of the International Community
Why Recognition Matters
How Are Governments Recognised?
Conclusion
References
14 Japan’s ‘Special Relations’ to Serious Warning: A Potential Change in Course?
A History of Japan’s ‘Special Relations’ with Myanmar
Japan’s Post-coup Relations with Myanmar
Lessons from the Volume
Introduction: Challenging Reality
Struggling Myanmar
Conclusion: A Promising Future
References
Index
