New Answers to Old Questions by Connelly, Aaron; Loong, Shona;

Short description:

Outside Myanmar, the 2021 coup d’état has often been portrayed as the end of a hopeful period for the country. In this Adelphi book, Aaron Connelly and Shona Loong argue that the Aung San Suu Kyi government that preceded it was a false dawn, unlikely to fulfil the international community's aspirations for a stable Myanmar.

Long description:

Outside Myanmar, the 2021 coup d’état has often been portrayed as the end of a hopeful period for the country. In this Adelphi book, however, Aaron Connelly and Shona Loong argue that the Aung San Suu Kyi government that preceded it was a false dawn, unlikely to fulfil the international community's aspirations for a stable, peaceful and strong Myanmar. Instead, the movement opposing the 2021 coup holds much greater promise – despite the bloody conflict that dominates the news today. 

Connelly and Loong survey three fundamental relationships that have shaped Myanmar before and after the coup – between the military and the state, between the majority Burmese and ethnic minorities, and between Myanmar and the world – to explain how opposition to the coup has shifted all of them in a more liberal, pluralist and cosmopolitan direction.

‘A significant contribution to understanding the complex and inter-related dynamics at play in Myanmar today’.

Dr Marty Natalegawa, former foreign minister of Indonesia

‘New Answers to Old Questions provides a clear-eyed and concise assessment of how the coup and its aftermath have shifted perceptions and attitudes inside and outside Myanmar.’

Moe Thuzar, Senior Fellow, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute

‘Aaron Connelly and Shona Loong have a deep knowledge of Myanmar and its complexities. They have written a timely book on this tragic country.’

Professor Tommy Koh, National University of Singapore

‘This is a must-read assessment of one of Asia’s most troubling strategic and political crises. The authors remind us that there is a narrow window of opportunity when greater support to the democratic resistance in Myanmar could lead to a much better future. Their practical insights about how best to respond should be looked at seriously by policymakers in the region and from around the world.’

Professor Nicholas Farrelly, University of Tasmania

Table of Contents:

Authors
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations  
Maps   

Introduction
Organisation of this book
Why Myanmar matters

Chapter One: The relationship between the armed forces and the state
The origins of the Tatmadaw
The emergence of the NLD
Tatmadaw–NLD accommodation
The NLD in government
Conclusion

Chapter Two: The relationship between the centre and the periphery
‘Race’ during British colonisation
Ethnic relations before independence
Insurgencies in Cold War Burma
Solidarity, ceasefires and co-optation
The USDP and NLD years
Conclusion

Chapter Three: The relationship between Myanmar and the world
Positive (and negative) non-alignment
Foreign relations under the SLORC and SPDC
Partial liberalisation under Thein Sein
Aung San Suu Kyi as State Counsellor
Conclusion

Chapter Four: The relationship between Myanmar’s past and its future
From peaceful protest to armed resistance
Myanmar’s new chapter
Conclusion

Epilogue
Stalemate
Three scenarios
Western disengagement, Asian fears
Deeper currents
A closing window of opportunity

Notes  
Index