Regime Changes and Socio-economic History of Rural Myanmar, 1986-2019

The book explores the transformation and steadiness of Myanmar's rural socio-economy from 1986 to 2019, focusing on "de-agrarianisation" and the absence of village collective. It was based on detailed research and interviews with over 10,000 people in over 200 villages.

Format: Hardback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2024
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

Myanmar's Rural Socio-Economy: Transformation and Steadiness from Within
Myanmar's rural socio-economy has undergone significant transformation and steadiness over the past several decades, and this book is the first to depict it from within the villages based on my own detailed research. The main subject of the transformation is "de-agrarianisation," which includes land use and holdings, household incomes, non-migrations, power structure, village landscape, and more. The principal theme of the steadiness is the "absence of village collective," which is the core of rural Myanmar, in contrast to village communities like Japan. This book is the result of research conducted by visiting more than 200 villages and interviewing more than 10,000 people by myself in Myanmar language.

One of the key factors that have contributed to Myanmar's rural socio-economic transformation is the regime changes from Burmese Way to Socialism to military junta and to democratization from 1986 to 2019. These changes have had a profound impact on the lives of Myanmar's rural population, and have led to significant changes in land use and holdings, household incomes, non-migrations, power structure, and village landscape.

Land Use and Holdings:

Under the Burmese Way regime, land was owned by the state and was used for agricultural production. However, the land was often mismanaged and underutilized, leading to low productivity and poverty. The Socialism regime introduced land reform policies that aimed to redistribute land to the rural population. These policies were successful in reducing poverty and increasing land productivity, but they also led to the emergence of large-scale landholdings.

Under the military junta, land use and holdings were tightly controlled by the government. Large-scale landholdings were confiscated and redistributed to the military and their supporters, while small-scale landholdings were left to the rural population. This led to a concentration of land ownership and a lack of access to land for many rural people.

Under the democratization process, land use and holdings have been gradually liberalized. The government has introduced land reform policies that aim to increase land productivity and reduce poverty. These policies have included the provision of land titles to small-scale landholders, the development of agricultural cooperatives, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Household Incomes:

Under the Burmese Way regime, household incomes were low and were primarily dependent on agriculture. However, the Socialism regime introduced land reform policies that aimed to increase household incomes. These policies included the provision of subsidies to farmers, the development of agricultural cooperatives, and the promotion of rural industries.

Under the military junta, household incomes were again low and were primarily dependent on agriculture. However, the government introduced a series of economic reforms that aimed to increase economic growth. These reforms included the privatization of state-owned enterprises, the introduction of foreign investment, and the development of tourism.

Under the democratization process, household incomes have continued to increase. The government has introduced policies that aim to promote economic growth, such as the provision of tax incentives to businesses, the development of infrastructure, and the promotion of foreign investment.

Non-Migrations:

Under the Burmese Way regime, non-migrations were common in rural Myanmar. People moved from rural areas to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities. However, the Socialism regime introduced policies that aimed to reduce non-migrations. These policies included the provision of job training programs, the development of rural industries, and the promotion of rural tourism.

Under the military junta, non-migrations were again common in rural Myanmar. People moved from rural areas to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities. However, the government introduced policies that aimed to control non-migrations. These policies included the imposition of travel restrictions, the confiscation of passports, and the detention of migrants.

Under the democratization process, non-migrations have continued to increase. The government has introduced policies that aim to promote economic growth, such as the provision of job training programs, the development of infrastructure, and the promotion of foreign investment.

Power Structure:

Under the Burmese Way regime, the power structure was dominated by the military. The military controlled the government, the economy, and the military. The Socialism regime introduced policies that aimed to reduce the power of the military. These policies included the introduction of democratic elections, the establishment of a civilian government, and the promotion of civil society.

Under the military junta, the power structure was again dominated by the military. The military controlled the government, the economy, and the military. The government introduced policies that aimed to control the power of the military. These policies included the imposition of travel restrictions, the confiscation of passports, and the detention of migrants.

Under the democratization process, the power structure has become more democratic. The government has introduced policies that aim to promote civil society, such as the provision of freedom of speech, the establishment of independent media, and the promotion of human rights.

Village Landscape:

Under the Burmese Way regime, the village landscape was characterized by small-scale agriculture and a lack of infrastructure. The Socialism regime introduced policies that aimed to improve the village landscape. These policies included the development of irrigation systems, the construction of roads, and the development of schools and hospitals.

Under the military junta, the village landscape was again characterized by small-scale agriculture and a lack of infrastructure. The government introduced policies that aimed to control the village landscape. These policies included the confiscation of land, the destruction of infrastructure, and the detention of migrants.

Under the democratization process, the village landscape has become more diverse. The government has introduced policies that aim to promote sustainable agriculture, such as the provision of subsidies to farmers, the development of agricultural cooperatives, and the promotion of rural tourism.

Conclusion:

Myanmar's rural socio-economic transformation and steadiness have been shaped by a series of regime changes from Burmese Way to Socialism to military junta and to democratization from 1986 to 2019. These changes have had a profound impact on the lives of Myanmar's rural population, and have led to significant changes in land use and holdings, household incomes, non-migrations, power structure, and village landscape. While Myanmar's rural socio-economic transformation has been successful in reducing poverty and increasing land productivity, it has also been accompanied by a series of challenges, such as the concentration of land ownership and the lack of access to land for many rural people. The democratization process has provided an opportunity for Myanmar's rural population to participate in the development of their country, and has led to the development of a more democratic and inclusive society. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that Myanmar's rural population can achieve their full potential.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789819932719
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023