Social Transformations in India, Myanmar, and Thailand: Volume II: Identity and Grassroots for Democratic Progress

This book explores the obstacles to social change in India, Myanmar, and Thailand and ways to overcome them. It argues that identity-based divisions have created a system of oppression and political contention, leading to conflicts and social issues. The volume recognizes that social transformation comes through deconstructing and reconstructing shared norms and ideas, with a focus on grassroots initiatives and alliances and democratic communication. It concludes that social transformations must begin at the individual to communal level and local to national level.

Format: Hardback
Length: 337 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book delves into the intricate challenges hindering social change in India, Myanmar, and Thailand, while also exploring potential solutions. Through a compilation of essays that identify common obstacles and distinctive features impacting diverse communities, this volume examines topics from subnational and local perspectives across the peripheries. The book argues that identity-based divisions have fostered a system of oppression and political contention, leading to various conflicts. At the same time, these issues have created an opportunity for marginalized groups worldwide to advocate for change. Recognizing that social transformation arises through an active process of deconstructing and reconstructing shared norms and ideas, the book centers its contents around two key focuses: the impacts of identities and grassroots. Both of these aspects play a vital role in each country's journey towards democracy, peace, justice, and freedom.

Within this framework, the chapters cover a wide array of common issues, including minority grievances, gender inequality, ethnic identity, grassroots power in alliance-building for community peace, recovery and resilience, digital freedom, democracy assistance and communication, and bridging multiple divides. As identity-based cleavages are daily lived experiences for individuals and communities, grassroots initiatives and alliances, along with democratic communication, are essential in addressing obstacles at their root. Ultimately, the book persuades readers that social transformations must commence at the individual to communal and local to national levels.

Weight: 711g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811671098
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022