-
Views
-
Cite
Cite
Tridivesh Singh Maini, Metamorphosis: studies in social and political change in Myanmar. Edited by Renaud Egreteau and François Robinne, International Affairs, Volume 92, Issue 5, September 2016, Pages 1289–1291, https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12737
Close - Share Icon Share
Extract
Metamorphosis: studies in social and political change in Myanmar. Edited by Renaud Egreteau and François Robinne. Singapore: National University of Singapore Press. 2016. 450pp. Pb.: £35.50. isbn 978 9 97169 866 9.
This is an especially timely book, published the year after Myanmar's (Burma) landmark democratic elections. Metamorphosis seeks to address some of the pressing issues which the newly elected government is likely to face: the relationship between the military and civilians; ethnic tensions, and especially the disputes between Rohingya Muslims and the Buddhist majority; and protests by farmers against the acquisition of land for development projects.
In the first chapter, Renaud Egreteau acknowledges the frictions between the armed forces and civilians. He notes that ‘antagonism and mutual distrust between the Burmese armed forces (or Tatmadaw) and the civilian sphere have long characterized Myanmar's post-independence politics’ (p. 15). Tatmadaw publications and official discourse blame the civilian politicians for Burma's problems and claim that the army remains a binding force for the nation. While highlighting some of the changes in this relationship, the author highlights an important way in which the army has ensured its crucial position in the nation's politics. Article 6 (f) of the constitution categorically states that the army is ‘able to participate in the national political leadership role of the state’ (p. 22). Interestingly, the army, while wanting to play a role in national politics, has been wary of getting involved in party politics. Egreteau ends the chapter with insightful concluding remarks: first, the army may see no incentive to withdraw from political institutions, and second, a pragmatic, non-confrontational approach towards it on the part of the civilian government may be the most advisable way forward.
