The Political Economy of Myanmar’s Transition
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In this article, the authors explore the political economy of Myanmar's dual transition from state socialism to capitalism and from dictatorship to democracy, and analyze changes within Myanmar society from a critical political economy perspective in order to both situate these developments within broader regional trends and to evaluate the country's current trajectory.Abstract:
Since holding elections in 2010, Myanmar has transitioned from a direct military dictatorship to a formally democratic system and has embarked on a period of rapid economic reform. After two decades of military rule, the pace of change has startled almost everyone and led to a great deal of cautious optimism. To make sense of the transition and assess the case for optimism, this article explores the political economy of Myanmar’s dual transition from state socialism to capitalism and from dictatorship to democracy. It analyses changes within Myanmar society from a critical political economy perspective in order to both situate these developments within broader regional trends and to evaluate the country’s current trajectory. In particular, the emergence of state-mediated capitalism and politico-business complexes in Myanmar’s borderlands are emphasised. These dynamics, which have empowered a narrow oligarchy, are less likely to be undone by the reform process than to fundamentally shape the contours of re...read more
Citations
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Contested Frontiers: Indigenous Mobilization and Control over Land and Natural Resources in Myanmar's Upland Areas
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Political Transition in Myanmar: Prospects and Problems
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors look at Myanmar's process of political liberalization set against some of the literature on political transitions, and highlight some factors that could militate against extensive reform, much less democratization.
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Giving Trends in Myanmar: More Than Merit Making
TL;DR: This paper argued that low levels of state investment in basic human welfare and the widespread deprivation in the country due to the long years of military rule, coupled with the lack of effective institutions to provide basic social welfare services, are equally strong motivators for charity.
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Frontier Capitalism and Politics of Dispossession in Myanmar: The Case of the Mwetaung (Gullu Mual) Nickel Mine in Chin State
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study of the Mwetaung (Gullu Mual) nickel mine on the border to Chin State and the "politics of dispossession" around this project is presented.
Book ChapterDOI
The Political Economy of Southeast Asia’s Development from Independence to Hyperglobalisation
TL;DR: The authors discusses evolving state development strategies in Southeast Asia, from post-colonial developmentalist agendas to the embrace of neoliberalism, from import-substituting and export-oriented industrialisation, highlighting the highly contingent position of Southeast Asian countries within the global political economy.
References
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