Sources concerning economy

1. Jones, L. (2014). The Political Economy of Myanmar’s Transition. Journal Of Contemporary Asia, 44(1), 144-170.

This article explores the reforms carried out by the government in political and economic terms due to the transition from a military dictatorship to a formally democratic system. Transition implies several changes in the structure of both society and economy, which are well valued in this text.

We have chosen this article because of the clearness of concepts and the depth but not obscure depiction of this transcendental moment in the History of Myanmar.

2. Kudō, T. o., Kumagai, S. u., & Umezaki, S. ō. (2014). Five Growth Strategies for Myanmar: Re-engagement with the Global Economy.Journal Of Southeast Asian Economies, 31(2), 173-194.

After decades of isolation from the global economy, Myanmar must observe and assess new strategies in order to be incorporated in global market. This article propose some suitable reforms regarding these objetctives for a new economic order within the country. The text is interesting in terms of viewing new perspectives from a native Myanmar observer.

3. TURNELL, S. (2011). Fundamentals of Myanmar's Macroeconomy: A Political Economy Perspective. Asian Economic Policy Review,6(1), 136-153.

The lack of strong economic institutions in Myanmar has developed a country without perspectives in international market as well as non independent economy incapable of maintaining a social welfare state. This report depicts the causes of this bad practice through the recent History of Myanmar.

4. Ferrarini, B. o. (2014). Myanmar’s Trade and Its Potential. Journal Of Southeast Asian Economies, 31(2), 195-209.

After the entrance of Myanmar in a liberal economy, some aspects of the trade had been strongly changed. This article wants to show the potential of Myanmar production  in global trade.

Other sources about Myanmar concerning politics:

1. Chalk, P. (2013). On the path of change Political, economic and social challenges for Myanmar. Special Report, (December 2013).

We have chosen this report due to its different perspective, because it was written by senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation working in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Limited. Therefore it analyzes the different issues that are happening in Myanmar at the moment with a fairly neutral scope. Nevertheless we take into account its potential shortcomings because it was made by an analyst from RAND, a pro american organization.

2. Jesnes, K. (2014). Developing relations: Political parties and civil society in Myanmar.

This report, since it was created by a party which has no interests in the matter, the Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre ,has a more objective approach. It values the role of civil society in the struggle towards democratization and how are the different ethnic groups concerned.

A very important aspect of this report is that it takes into account the legal constraints which surrounds the whole problem and makes it more difficult for the country to progress.

3. Global Justice Center (Ed.). (2013). The Gender Gap and Women’s Political Power in Myanmar/Burma.

This journal article is very short but it illustrates a very important issue in Burma, the lack of equity between men and women. This topic is very important if Myanmar wishes to become a developed nation and join international organizations.

4. Strangio, S. (2014, July 21). Myanmar’s Constitutional Uncertainty. The Diplomat.

This source differs from the others in the sense that is not a report but a magazine article which may lack the depth or the objectivity of the previous ones. In spite of this fact, we chose it because it is a specialized magazine in International Relations of the Asia-Pacific region and it is very recent so it can show us the more immediate events that are happening in Myanmar right now. The article talks about the desire of the population of Burma to change its constitution to curtail the military's power in the national assembly.

More sources we will be looking at:

Society:

1. Kyaw Yin, H. (2012). Understanding Recent Political Changes in Myanmar. Contemporary Southeast Asia: A Journal Of International & Strategic Affairs, 34(2), 197-216. doi:10.1355/cs34-2c.

This article talks about the new social situation that Myanmar is living since the new government took power in 2011.
It also talks about the challenges that the country is suffering in economical terms and the discussion between the hardliners in the government think that the pace of reform is too fast while hardliners in the pro-democracy movement  feel that they are too slow.

We have chosen this article because it is clear and concrete, and it shows a good view of what it is happening right now in the country.

2.Jolliffe, K. (2011). Dilemmas of Burma in transition. Forced Migration Review, (37), 15-16. 
The article examines the state of domestic affairs within the nation of Burma. it talks about the non-state armed groups
 ( NSAGs), and the discussions about the influence that this groups have upon socioeconomic factors and civil society.

We have chosen this article because we want to be informed also about non-state armed groups and their actuation in relation whit the country.

Politics:

1. Coclanis, P. A. (2013). Terror in Burma. World Affairs, 176(4), 25-34. 
The article discusses terrorism and conflict between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma as of late 2013. It also examines the concept and historical dimensions of Buddhist terrorism, particularly as related to the presence of Muslims and South Asians in Burma during the 19th century and the 20th century. It discusses the Muslim community in Burma in the early 21st century.

We are interested in this article because it argues the different religion situations that the country has been suffering during the past years.

2. Smith, M. (2010). ETHNIC POLITICS IN MYANMAR. Southeast Asian Affairs, 214-234.
The article discusses ethnic relations in Burma and political activity by its ethnic minorities. A history is presented of relations, including guerrilla warfare, between Burma's military government and ethnic minorities. 

We are also concerned about minorities in the country and their situation. 

Sources

Some of the sources we will use to base our work off of:

Politics:

• Osnos, E. (2012). THE BURMESE SPRING. New Yorker, 88(23), 52-61
• Renshaw, C. (2013). Democratic Transformation and Regional Institutions: The Case of Myanmar and ASEAN. Journal Of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 32(1), 29-54.

Foreign Policy:

• Kyaw Yin, H. (2012). Understanding Recent Political Changes in Myanmar. Contemporary Southeast Asia: A Journal Of International & Strategic Affairs, 34(2), 197-216. 

Society: 

• Pidduck, J. (2012). Exile media, global news flows and democratization: the role of Democratic Voice of Burma in Burma’s 2010 elections. Media, Culture & Society, 34(5), 537-553. doi:10.1177/0163443712442700
• Abdelkader, E. (2014). MYANMAR'S DEMOCRACY STRUGGLE: THE IMPACT OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE UPON ROHINGYA WOMEN AND YOUTH. Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal, 23(3), 511-542.

About us

This blog is ran by a group of four students of the Comillas Pontifical University who have been assigned to write a report on the country of Myanmar. Our names are Teresa Luque, Iñigo Cabo, Samuel Lagos and Sofía Ruiz and we are interested and looking forward to learn and investigate about this little-known country.