In the Western mind, Burmese politics is characterized by a struggle between a rapacious military elite and gentle, freedom-loving democrats. There is some truth to this view, but more is needed to understand the country and to help its people. This excellent book-a rare combination of history, social science, and normative political theory-provides the rest.
Daniel A. Bell, Tsinghua University As both the United States and the European Union have announced their intentions to engage with the new administration in Myanmar, Ian Holliday's timely and well-focused study provides important background and scholarly guidance justifying intervention on human rights grounds. His strategy of grassroots engagement, particularly utilizing neighboring states, international agencies, and multinational corporations is well argued and persuasive. Holliday recognizes that practical difficulties require determination and high-level persuasion, not least in regional diplomacy. This volume is an important contribution, from a refreshingly new perspective.
Derek Tonkin, Network Myanmar [An] astute book. Publishers Weekly Not many books have been written on Myanmar, so Holliday's extensive and intensiveexamination of the this country's state of affairs in this book is a pioneering contributionto understanding its problems and helping its people achieve freedom and foster economicdevelopment. Bizindia This is a fine introduction to the modern history of Burma and in particular to the history of Burma since 1948.
Seth Offenbach H-Diplo Ian Holliday's study... remains a valuable introduction to Burma's problems and its discussion of possible avenues of reform and international cooperation still makes an important contribution to the public debate.
Andrew Selth, Griffith University Asian Studies Review