Winning by Process
The State and Neutralization of Ethnic Minorities in Myanmar
Published on 15. August 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
270 pages
978-1-5017-6468-4 (ISBN)
Description
Winning by Process asks why the peace process stalled in the decade from 2011 to 2021 despite a liberalizing regime, a national ceasefire agreement, and a multilateral peace dialogue between the state and ethnic minorities.
Winning by Process argues that stalled conflicts are more than pauses or stalemates. "Winning by process," as opposed to winning by war or agreement, represents the state's ability to gain advantage by manipulating the rules of negotiation, bargaining process, and sites of power and resources. In Myanmar, five such strategies allowed the state to gain through process: locking in, sequencing, layering, outflanking, and outgunning. The Myanmar case shows how process can shift the balance of power in negotiations intended to bring an end to civil war. During the last decade, the Myanmar state and military controlled the process, neutralized ethnic minority groups, and continued to impose their vision of a centralized state even as they appeared to support federalism.
Winning by Process argues that stalled conflicts are more than pauses or stalemates. "Winning by process," as opposed to winning by war or agreement, represents the state's ability to gain advantage by manipulating the rules of negotiation, bargaining process, and sites of power and resources. In Myanmar, five such strategies allowed the state to gain through process: locking in, sequencing, layering, outflanking, and outgunning. The Myanmar case shows how process can shift the balance of power in negotiations intended to bring an end to civil war. During the last decade, the Myanmar state and military controlled the process, neutralized ethnic minority groups, and continued to impose their vision of a centralized state even as they appeared to support federalism.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important book that looks at the peace process against the background of Myanmar's political dynamics in those years(Nikkei Asia) This thorough and important book declares that the military rulers of Myanmar[...], missed golden opportunities to integrate the Bamar, Karen, Karenni, Chin, Wa, Kachin, and other ethnic groups. This book sheds important light on the conflicts and failed peace processes that led up to the coup.
(Choice) The authors' valuable field research, detailed presentation, and distinctive analysis, make this book a valuable resource for those interested in negotiation, conflict resolution, and the ongoing political tensions of Myanmar.
(International Journal of Public Theology)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Publishing group
Cornell University Press
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 b&w line drawing, 2 maps, 1 chart - 1 Line drawings, black and white - 1 Charts - 2 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5017-6468-4 (9781501764684)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Jacques Bertrand | Alexandre Pelletier | Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung
Winning by Process
The State and Neutralization of Ethnic Minorities in Myanmar
E-Book
08/2022
Cornell University East Asia Program
€22.49
Available for download
Persons
Jacques Bertrand is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He is the author, most recently, of Ethnic Minorities and Political Change in Southeast Asia.
Alexandre Pelletier is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Universite Laval. Follow him on X at @APPelletier.
Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung is Chair of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She is the author, most recently, of Everyday Economic Survival in Contemporary Myanmar. Follow her on X at @AThawnghmung.
Alexandre Pelletier is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Universite Laval. Follow him on X at @APPelletier.
Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung is Chair of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She is the author, most recently, of Everyday Economic Survival in Contemporary Myanmar. Follow her on X at @AThawnghmung.
Content
Introduction
1. Winning by Process: Leveraging Formal Negotiation, State Institutions, and War
2. The Failure to Win by War: The Limits of Bamar Dominance and Ethnic Minority Repression
3. Democratization: Layering and Sequencing in the State Institutional Arena
4. Process over War: From Ceasefire to Political Dialogue
5. Normalizing Weak Ethnic States: Constitutional Lock-In and Implementing Layers
6. Outflanking and the Erosion of De Facto Autonomy
7. Fragmentation, Marginalization, and Subjugation: Layering and Locking In Ethnic Recognition
Conclusion
1. Winning by Process: Leveraging Formal Negotiation, State Institutions, and War
2. The Failure to Win by War: The Limits of Bamar Dominance and Ethnic Minority Repression
3. Democratization: Layering and Sequencing in the State Institutional Arena
4. Process over War: From Ceasefire to Political Dialogue
5. Normalizing Weak Ethnic States: Constitutional Lock-In and Implementing Layers
6. Outflanking and the Erosion of De Facto Autonomy
7. Fragmentation, Marginalization, and Subjugation: Layering and Locking In Ethnic Recognition
Conclusion