The "Other" Karen in Myanmar
Ethnic Minorities and the Struggle without Arms

However, even among these minorities which are locked in armed conflicts, the majority of people have shunned armed resistance and sought to remain 'quietly' beyond the struggle and pursued non-violent approaches to promote their individual and collective interests in the face of authoritarian, governments. This study, which sheds light on the lives and growing political significance of non-armed, non-insurgent members of ethnic minorities in Burma, draws heavily on opinion surveys and open-ended interviews among Karen diaspora (among individuals who lived a minimum of 20 years in Burma), "quiet Karens" who live inside Burma, KNU officials, personnel, and soldiers, and Karen refugees and IDPs who are currently living in Thai-Burma border areas. These interviews, which covered approximately two hundred respondents, have been conducted since 2002. It is mainly directed toward social scientists, historians, humanitarian workers, policy makers, and practitioners, and non-specialist ordinary audience who are interested in Southeast Asian/Burmese politics and society, comparative politics, identity politics, ethnic conflict, social movements, conflict resolution, and political reform.

Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Growing up in Burma--a personal account The international Phenomenon of the "Silent Majority" Theme, Approach, and Method of the Book Chapter 1: Who are the "Other" or "Quiet" Minorities? Who are the "other" or "quiet" Minorities? The Political Significance of the "Other" Minorities Chapter 2: The Emergence of the Karen Ethno-National Movement The Construction of Karen ethno-nationalist identities Saw Ba U Gyi and the Insein Ceasefire talks KNU in the 21st Century Conclusion Chapter 3: Kawthoolei Karen: A Fragmented Constituency
Government-Controlled zones Rebel-controlled and Contested Zones The "Refugees" The Diaspora Conclusion Chapter 4: The "Rebel" and the "Accomomodator" The Early Stages of the Armed Resistance Movement The Later Stages of the Armed Rebellion Conclusion Chapter 5: The "Other" Ethnonationalities in Myanmar/Burma A changing Political Landscape in SPDC and Post-SPDC Periods The 'other' Nationalities in Burma/Myanmar Three Patterns of civilian Politics among Ethnic minoirites Conclusion Chapter 6: The "other" Ethnonationalities in Comparative perspective Competing Identities Divide and Rule Strategies The Role of the "other" Minorities in Ethnic Politics Conclusion Bibliography Index About the Author