Living Silence in Burma: Surviving under Military Rule - Hardcover

Christina Fink

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848132719 ISBN 13: 9781848132719

Publisher: Zed Books, 2009

Synopsis

Eight years after the first edition of this insightful and highly regarded book, Burma remains one of the most troubled nations in Southeast Asia. While other countries have democratized and prospered, Burma is governed by a repressive military dictatorship and is the second largest producer of heroin in the world. In this exceptionally readable yet scholarly account of Burma today, Christina Fink gives a moving and insightful picture of what life under military rule is like. Through the extensive interviews conducted inside and outside the country, we begin to understand Burma's political and domestic situation and a comprehensive understanding of why military rule has lasted so long. This significantly revised new edition includes material taking the reader up to present day action and accounts, including the impacts of the dramatic 2007 monks' demonstrations, which were coordinated with former student activists and members of Aung San Suu Kyi's party. The book explores the regime's continued attempts to weaken and divide the democratic movement and the ethnic nationalist organizations and explains how the democratic movement and ethnic groups have sought to achieve their goals; in part, by working more closely together.

About this title

Product Description

In this new, thoroughly updated, edition of an acclaimed account of contemporary Burma, Christina Fink gives a moving and insightful picture of life under the repressive military dictatorship and the current possibilities for change. In addition to analysing the strategies and techniques the army has deployed to maintain power, Fink gives powerful insights into the life of ordinary Burmese people. Through extensive interviews conducted inside and outside the country she builds a richly textured picture of the type of accommodations people make in order to cope with daily life - as well as some innovative forms of resistance. At a time when international engagement with Burma has grown, with increasing numbers of Burmese living and working abroad, can the regime sustain itself in the face of the economic deterioration at home? The brutal repression of the monk's demonstrations in 2007 were a desparate response to a political opposition better informed and more united than ever before. This is a book anyone with an interest in Burma needs to read.

Review

Praise for first edition 'Living Silence is particularly valuable for its study of the psychological effects of military rule on the people of Burma. The real struggle in Burma is the struggle between the desire to opt for the easy option of submitting to the demands of the powers that be and the commitment that leads to the hard road of resisting the threats and blandishments of a ruthless regime. By exploring the impact of military rule on the lives of ordinary people against a broad historical and social backdrop, Christina Fink makes an important contribution towards an understanding of the root causes of the problems and choices that the people of Burma are facing today.' Aung San Suu Kyi 'The Burmese students have found their Boswell. Christina Fink has carefully recorded their statements and thoughts. Now, no one can dismiss the tragedy of Burma as the fiction of outsiders. These are the people who have and continue to live with it.' Josef Silverstein, Rutgers University 'Christina Fink's Living Silence is a meticulous study of the surreal horror imposed upon the people of Burma by its illegitimate rulers. Read this book and never forget them.' John Pilger

About this edition

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1848132719
• ISBN 13: 9781848132719
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 316