A History of Modern Burma

The first general history of modern Burma in over five decades.

Michael W. Charney (Author)

9780521617581, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 January 2009

256 pages, 12 b/w illus. 3 maps
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.41 kg

'Charney, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at SOAS, is well-qualified to write this work and he offers a careful account, one that is particularly nuanced in its coverage of the civil conflict and totalitarianism of recent years.' The Historical Association

Burma has lived under military rule for nearly half a century. The results of its 1990 elections were never recognized by the ruling junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement, was denied her victory. She has been under house-arrest ever since. Now an economic satellite and political dependent of the People's Republic of China, Burma is at a crossroads. Will it become another North Korea, will it succumb to China's political embrace or will the people prevail? Michael Charney's book- the first general history of modern Burma in over five decades - traces the highs and lows of Burma's history from its colonial past to the devastation of Cyclone Nargis in 2008. By exploring key themes such as the political division between lowland and highland Burma and monastic opposition to state control, the author explains the forces that have made the country what it is today.

Introduction
1. Burma under colonial rule
2. The colonial centre
3. Self-government without independence
4. The democratic experiment
5. Dress rehearsals
6. The revolutionary council
7. The BSPP years
8. Towards democracy, 1988–1990
9. Perpetual delay
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], Asian history [HBJF], General & world history [HBG]