Since more than 40 years, Myanmar is ruled by a military junta, calling itself the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). It is today the last military regime of its kind in Southeast Asia. Due to disastrous economic policies initiated by the government, Myanmar belongs to the world’s Least Developed Countries (LCD’s), the majority of its population living below poverty line. Despite multiparty elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. Therefore, the military regime lacks the legitimacy to rule, but nevertheless they do so by using force to suppress oppositional movements.
Myanmar is one of the ethnically most diverse countries in the world, consisting of more than 100 different ethnic groups with their own history. Since its independence from Britain in 1948, Myanmar has experienced numerous conflicts between the central government and ethnic minority groups seeking autonomy. In this research paper, the reasons for the ethnic insurgency movements will be analyzed, as well as how the military regime has dealt with this conflicts. At the end, the state building process in Myanmar will be examined with the help of the „State in Society“ approach by Joel Migdal.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Motivation of Research Paper
- Structure of Research Paper
- Theoretical Background on Myanmar
- History of Myanmar
- Current Political Situation
- Current Economic Situation
- The Problem of Ethnic Insurgencies and its Impact on State Building
- Ethnic Groups in Myanmar
- Shan
- Karen
- Mon
- The Reasons for Ethnic Insurgency Movements
- Ethnic Minority Politics of the Government
- The Impact of Ethnic Insurgencies on State Building in Myanmar
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper examines the problem of ethnic insurgencies and its impact on state building in Myanmar. It aims to analyze the reasons behind these movements, the government's response, and the broader implications for the country's development.
- The historical and political context of ethnic conflicts in Myanmar
- The role of the military junta in managing and responding to ethnic insurgencies
- The impact of ethnic insurgencies on state building processes in Myanmar
- The challenges and opportunities facing Myanmar in achieving sustainable peace and development
- The application of Joel Migdal's "State in Society" approach to analyze the state building process in Myanmar
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 2, "Theoretical Background on Myanmar," provides an overview of the country's history, its current political situation, and its economic context. This chapter establishes a foundation for understanding the complex dynamics of ethnic conflict in Myanmar. Chapter 3, "The Problem of Ethnic Insurgencies and its Impact on State Building," delves into the specific challenges posed by ethnic insurgencies. It analyzes the motivations behind these movements, the government's response, and the impact on state building efforts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The research paper focuses on the following key terms and concepts: ethnic insurgencies, state building, Myanmar, military junta, ethnic minorities, conflict resolution, state in society, political instability, economic development, and peacebuilding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of ethnic insurgencies in Myanmar?
The insurgencies are rooted in the long-standing quest for autonomy by Myanmar's diverse ethnic groups, exacerbated by the central government's suppression of minority rights since independence in 1948.
How has the military junta (SPDC) responded to these conflicts?
The military regime has primarily used force to suppress opposition and maintain control, leading to a lack of political legitimacy and ongoing instability.
What is the "State in Society" approach?
Developed by Joel Migdal, this approach is used in the paper to analyze how the interactions between the state and various social groups, including ethnic minorities, shape the state-building process.
Which ethnic groups are specifically discussed in the paper?
The research paper highlights the situations of the Shan, Karen, and Mon ethnic groups among others.
How do ethnic conflicts impact Myanmar's economic development?
Prolonged conflict and disastrous economic policies have placed Myanmar among the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs), with a large portion of the population living in poverty.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Cornelius Streit (Autor:in), 2006, The problem of ethnic insurgencies and its impact on state building in Myanmar, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/58649
