Burma. Prospects for a Democratic Future.

ROTBERG, ROBERT I. (EDITED BY).

ISBN 10: 0815775814 / ISBN 13: 9780815775812

Published by Brookings Institution Press., Washington, D.C., 1998

About this Item

Map, xi + 308pp, index, edges little foxed, a very good paperback copy. "Burma has been thrown back to an earlier, more nakedly brutal period of dictatorial excess. Since being defeated overwhelmingly in the 1990 elections, the State Peace and Development Council, a steely military junta despite its name, has repressed dissent, detained Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, and violated the human rights and civil liberties of countless Burmese. What to do about Burma is a difficult question. This World Peace Foundation book provides an understanding of why answers are hard and a ready solution is not at hand. Its chapters, written by a number of the world's leading authorities on Burma, discuss the country's history and political culture, its economic and trade prospects, the power of the army, ethnic relations, its educational and health crises, and the drug trade." (Publisher's description).

Seller Inventory # 178544

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Burma. Prospects for a Democratic Future.
• Publisher: Brookings Institution Press., Washington, D.C.
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0815775814
• ISBN 13: 9780815775812
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Burma

About this title

Synopsis

This book examines the origins and consequences of Burma's current policies from military, political, social, and economic perspectives. It analyzes the Asian decision to ""constructively engage"" Burma, especially in economic affairs, versus the position of the United States and many other Western countries to treat Burma as a pariah. Other chapters focus on the drug trade (Burma produces more than 60 percent of the world's heroin), the growing role of China as Burma's military and economic ""big brother,"" political culture and democratic traditions, the unsustainable nature of current economic growth, shortfalls in education and health systems, and Burma's potential for foreign investment.

About the Author

Robert I. Rotberg is director of the Program on Intrastate Conflict, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and president of the World Peace Foundation. Rotberg is the author or editor of numerous books, including State Failure and State Weakness in a Time of Terror (Brookings/WPF, 2003).