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The ongoing democratisation process in Myanmar represents one of the most relevant 'stress tests' for the democratic transition theory. This theory actually considers stateness as a prerequisite for democracy; and, consequently, concentrates mainly on the mode of progression of the state from dictatorship to representative government. We assume, on the contrary, that, particularly after 1989, the very idea of stateness is being questioned more and more (and not only in developing countries). This paper does not intend to add original data relative to Myanmar's recent history. It rather aims to shed some new light on Myanmar's democratisation process, approaching the issue as a specific case-study of democratic transition affected by clustered sovereignty. The introduction will attempt to explain the main methodological prerequisites of the paper. The article will then analyse the three main risk factors affecting the democratisation process in Myanmar: (1) the (in)ability to neutralise the autonomous centres of power equipped with means of coercion and return them to a shared political sphere; (2) the (in)ability to integrate different intra-group networks in the shared political sphere; (3) the (in)ability to eliminate or at least reduce the social inequalities, detaching them from the shared political sphere.

Ever since Myanmar regained her independence in January 1948, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) has been crucial in restoring and maintaining law and order. It is one of the most important institutions in Myanmar politics. Various aspects of the Tatmadaw have been studied. The most notable area of study has been the political role of the military. This study looks at the organizational development of the Myanmar armed forces. It analyses four different aspects of the Tatmadaw: military doctrine and strategy, organization and force structure, armament and force modernization, and military training and officer education. It sets out security perceptions and policies, charting developments in each phase against the situation at the time, and also notes the contributions of the leading actors in the process. Since early 1990s, the Tatmadaw has implemented a force modernization programme. This work studies rationales and strategy behind the force modernization programme and examines the military capabilities of the Tatmadaw. Drawing extensively from archival sources and existing literature, this empirically grounded research argues that, while the internal armed security threat to the state continues to play an important role, it is the external security threat that gives more weight to the expansion and modernization of the Tatmadaw since 1988. It also argues that, despite its imperfections, the Tatmadaw has transformed from a force essentially for counter-insurgency operations into a force capable of fighting in limited conventional warfare

Building the Tatmadaw : Myanmar armed forces since 1948 -- Contents -- List of Tables -- List of Figures -- Acknowledgements -- Glossary -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Military Doctrine and Strategy -- 3. Organization and Force Structure -- 4. Armament and Force Modernization -- 5. Military Training and Officer Education -- 6. Financing Force Modernization and Troops Welfare -- 7. Conclusion -- Appendices -- Appendix (1) -- Appendix (2) -- Appendix (3) -- Appendix (4) -- Appendix (5) -- Appendix (6) -- Appendix (7) -- Appendix (8) -- Appendix (9) -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the Author.

Burma, das ist für viele Menschen vor allem Aung San Suu Kyi, Zyklon Nargis, die Militärdiktatur und die blutige Niederschlagung der von buddhistischen Mönchen getragenen friedlichen Demonstration im Jahre 2008. Dabei ist die Geschichte Burmas komplex und vielschichtig.

Crouch reviews 'Transforming the Tatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces Since 1988' by Andrew Selth.

Than reviews 'Transforming the Tatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces Since 1998' by Andrew Selth.