The Politics of State—Society Relations in Burma

Abstract

This paper, based largely on interviews, examines relations between the state and a number of societal groups — business, students, the sangha (monks), peasants and workers — in Burma since independence. It argues that state—society relations in Burma cannot be reduced to a series of zero-sum games. Although it is possible that the relations between the state and anti-state activists, such as students and monks, would take the form of zero-sum games, it is argued here that existing studies fail to explain the complexity of the state's relations with those segments of the Burmese population not actively opposed to the state, such as the business community. The paper explores the mutually empowering aspect of state—society relations in Burma by highlighting the benefits that both post-colonial Burmese government officials and various societal groups have gained from their patronage networks. It further shows that, although the parliamentary period was a more democratic one than the two subsequent military periods, the bedrock of state—society relations in Burma throughout the post-colonial period has been clientelism.