Books with author Trevor Wilson

In late 2004, Myanmar's best known general and long-serving leader of the military regime, General Khin Nyunt, was suddenly dismissed. This shock development, perpetrated by a regime that has defied all predictions of its demise and disintegration, generated widespread uncertainty both inside and outside the country. Official reassurances about continuing the 2003 "Road Map" process left many questions about the path ahead unanswered. Would political dialogue with opposition groups be resumed? How would increasingly restive ethnic groups respond? Would nascent civil society groups be able to play a role in national reconciliation? How would the new leadership deal with the flagging economy? What are the prospects for the large but under-funded and highly regulated agricultural sector? This book addresses these issues.

In late 2004, Myanmar's best known general and long-serving leader of the military regime, General Khin Nyunt, was suddenly dismissed. This shock development, perpetrated by a regime that has defied all predictions of its demise and disintegration, generated widespread uncertainty both inside and outside the country. Official reassurances about continuing the 2003 "Road Map" process left many questions about the path ahead unanswered. Would political dialogue with opposition groups be resumed? How would increasingly restive ethnic groups respond? Would nascent civil society groups be able to play a role in national reconciliation? How would the new leadership deal with the flagging economy? What are the prospects for the large but under-funded and highly regulated agricultural sector? This book addresses these issues.

The 14 papers presented here by Wilson (the former Australian ambassador to Myanmar (Burma) from mid-2000 to mid-2003) come from the 2004 Myanmar/Burma Update Conference, which, rather than rely on the perspectives of expatriate Burmese and mostly Western academics, sought to include insights from individuals who have had extensive recent experience inside the militarily-ruled country. Collectively, the papers aim to provide a portrait of the current social, economic, and political landscape of the country and assess the possibilities of movement towards democracy and ethnic reconciliation. Individually, papers look at the politics of the military junta of the State Peace and Development Council, explore ethnic participation in politics, review the status of the agricultural sector and the wider economy, discuss the health or lack thereof of Burmese civil society, and consider the roles of international non-governmental organizations and corporations in aiding Burmese political and economic development. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)