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Contested Civil Society in Myanmar

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Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. This book centres on various contestations in Myanmar society and illustrates the ways in which these are reflected in civil society. The...
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  • 20 May 2025
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Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.

This book centres on various contestations in Myanmar society and illustrates the ways in which these are reflected in civil society.

The book offers a concise overview of recent political developments in the country, from the short-lived attempts at democratization to the 2021 military coup, and analyses the involvement of various civil society actors, as well as their international supporters. It incorporates multiple identities and fault lines in Myanmar society and explains how these influence diverse perceptions, framing and agenda setting as political developments unfold.

The book provides an up-to-date overview of the main identities and contestations within Myanmar’s civil society and, by extension, within Myanmar society as a whole. It also gives recommendations to donors, policy makers and researchers wishing to better understand and support local civil society actors operating in repressive environments.

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Price: $41.95
Pages: 212
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Imprint: Bristol University Press
Publication Date: 20 May 2025
ISBN: 9781529236521
Format: Paperback
BISACs: POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Asian, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Development / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civics & Citizenship, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Ethnic Studies / Asian Studies, Development studies, Aid and relief programmes, Civics and citizenship, Pressure groups, protest movements and non-violent action, Political activism / Political engagement, Human rights, civil rights
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“Matelski’s compelling empirical and theoretical insights into Myanmar’s civil society ... expand conventional understandings of ‘civil society’ in ways especially relevant for contexts outside of North America and Europe.” Lisa Brooten, Southern Illinois University
Maaike Matelski is Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Contested Representation in Burma/Myanmar

1. Conflict, Repression, and Resistance From Colonialism to Military Rule

2. Constructing Civil Society in Myanmar

3. Diversity and Fault Lines in Burmese Civil Society

4. Room To Manoeuvre Under Authoritarian Rule

5. Transnational Advocacy Strategies and Pathways To Change

6. Competing Frames Around the 2010 Elections

7. Foreign Aid and the (De)politicisation of Civil Society Assistance

8. Interrupted Transition and Post-coup Resistance

Conclusion