Narrating Democracy in Myanmar - The Struggle Between Activists, Democratic Leaders and Aid Workers

This book analyses what Myanmar's struggle for democracy has signified to Burmese activists and democratic leaders, and to their international allies. In doing so, it explores how understanding contested meanings of democracy helps make sense of the country's tortuous path since Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won historic elections in 2015. Using Burmese and English language sources, Narrating Democracy in Myanmar reveals how the country's ongoing struggles for democracy exist not only in opposition to Burmese military elites, but also within networks of local activists and democratic leaders, and international aid workers.

List of contents

Abbreviations, Acknowledgements, 1 Introduction, 2 Elucidating the meaning of democracy through narrative, 3 Toward the 'Ocean of Democracy'?, 4 Burma after independence, 5 A liberal narrative, 6 A benevolence narrative, 7 An equality narrative, 8 Exposing the political use of narratives, 9 Beyond an 'ideal type', 10 Playing different games, Index

About the author

Tamas Wells is a Research Fellow in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne. His research focuses on meanings of democracy, governance, freedom and accountability in Southeast Asia and the role of international aid agencies. Before entering academia, he worked in Myanmar for six years with various NGOs - including Save the Children - on governance, public health and civil society strengthening programs.

Product details

• Authors: Tamas Wells
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 01.12.2025
• EAN: 9781041183334
• ISBN: 978-1-041-18333-4
• No. of pages: 212
• Series: Global Asia
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Asian, South East Asia, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Political structures: democracy, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Political structures / systems: democracy, myanmar;burma;democracy;narrative