State and Society in Modern Rangoon

Donald M Seekins author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:4th Aug '10

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State and Society in Modern Rangoon cover

While most of Asia’s major cities are increasingly homogenized by rapid economic growth and cultural globalization, Rangoon, which is Burma’s former capital and largest city, still bears the imprint of a unique and often turbulent history. It is the site of the Shwedagon Pagoda, a focus of Buddhist pilgrimage and devotion since the early second millennium C.E. that continues to play a major role in national life. In 1852, the British occupied Rangoon and made it their colonial capital, building a modern port and administrative center based on western designs. It became the capital of independent Burma in 1948, but in 2005 the State Peace and Development Council military junta established a new, heavily fortified capital at Naypyidaw, 320 kilometers north of the old capital.

A major motive for the capital relocation was the regime’s desire to put distance between itself and Rangoon’s historically restive population. Reacting to the huge anti-government demonstrations of "Democracy Summer" in 1988, the new military regime used massive violence to pacify the city and sought to transform it in line with its supreme goal of state security. However, the "Saffron Revolution" of September 2007 showed that Rangoon’s traditions of resistance reaching back to the colonial era are still very much alive.

"Clearly the result of decades of visits to and study of Burma, Seekins's book offers readers a grounded, lively and altogether lucid introduction to the dynamic and fascinating South East Asian city of Rangoon...Because Seekins's prose is so accessible, State and Society in Modern Rangoon could profitably be used in introductory South East Asian history courses or in a comparative politics course." - South East Asia Research (Volume 20, Number 1)

ISBN: 9780415318525

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 660g

272 pages