Burma, also known as Myanmar, strategically located between China
and India, is one of the largest and most richly endowed states in
Southeast Asia. Yet it remains both economically and politically
underdeveloped. Why is this so? We argue that much of the reason
has to do with an ongoing struggle for national identity. This
struggle involves not only whether the state should be
authoritarian or democratic, but how Burma's myriad ethnic
minorities should be accommodated within it, what external
reference national reference groups the country should identify and
align with, and how it should move forward. Identity formation
normally occurs much earlier in the national developmental process,
but Burma has had unusually intransigent problems that were never
successfully resolved during the colonial period and have simply
been suppressed by force since then. This protracted divisiveness
has stunted the nation's modernization and growth.Written from a
unique perspective, this book on Myanmar deviates from the
traditional authoritarian versus democratic rhetoric. Although that
is certainly part of the picture, this multifaceted analysis
focuses rather on the issue of identity formation - an issue that
has all too often failed to make the headlines. Much can be learned
from Myanmar's identity problems, making this book essential
reading for all students and professionals interested in
development studies or comparative politics. By whatever name,
Burma is not only a fascinating country but one likely to play an
increasingly vital role in Asia's future.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
