Rebel Politics: A Political Sociology of Armed Struggle in Myanmar’s Borderlands

David Brenner (Goldsmith)

Abstract

How do the internal politics of rebel movements drive wider dynamics of war and peace in Myanmar's changing borderlands?

The event launches David Brenner's new book "Rebel Politics: A Political Sociology of Armed Struggle in Myanmar’s Borderlands" with a roundtable discussion on the changing dynamics of the civil war in Myanmar, one of the most entrenched armed conflicts in the world.

Based on long-term research inside the Kachin and Karen rebellions, Rebel Politics analyses the relations between rebel leaders, their rank-and-file, and local communities in the context of political and geopolitical transformations in Myanmar’s borderlands. Using ethnographic methods and social theory, Rebel Politics provides an insight into the hidden social dynamics and everyday practices of political violence, ethnic conflict and rebel governance. In doing so, the book explains how revolutionary elites capture and lose legitimacy within their own movements and how the internal politics of rebel movements drive wider dynamics of war and peace.

Confirmed discussants for the roundtable -

• Dr. Lydia Walker (SAS)
• Dr. Hans Steinmuller (LSE)

Discussants list will be updated in coming weeks.

Biography

Dr David Brenner is Lecturer in International Relations at Goldsmiths, University of London. His work explores the politics of conflict, (in)security and development.

The event is free to attend but registration essential. Click here to register.

Organiser: SOAS South Asia Institute

Contact email: ssai@soas.ac.uk

Contact Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4390