The Burmese army took political power in Burma in 1962 and has ruled the country ever since. The persistence of this government even in the face of long-term nonviolent opposition led by activist Aung San Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 has puzzled scholars. In a book relevant to current debates about democratization, Mary P. Callahan seeks to explain the extraordinary durability of the Burmese military regime. In her view, the origins of army rule are to be found in the relationship between war and state formation.Burma's colonial past had seen a large imbalance...

The Burmese army took political power in Burma in 1962 and has ruled the country ever since. The persistence of this government - even in the face of long-term non-violent opposition led by activist Aung San Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 - has puzzled scholars. In a book relevant to debates about democratization, Mary P. Callahan seeks to explain the extraordinary durability of the Burmese military regime. In her view, the origins of army rule are to be found in the relationship between war and state formation. civil sectors. That imbalance was accentuated soon after...