Strengthening Civil Society in Burma The Possibilities and Dilemmas for International NGOs

What role has civil society played in the history of Burma? Is civil society reemerging in today's Burma? How can the international community develop strategies to strengthen the existing institutions that are essential to the growth of pluralism and democracy? What role should international NGOs play in this process? This collection addresses these issues by bringing together the research and insights of four experts in the field. Timely and highly readable, these papers present the current thinking on whether and how civil society can develop under the present Burmese military regime.

Introduction Chapter 1 A Void in Myanmar: Civil Society in Burma, by David Steinberg Chapter 2 Ethnic Conflict and the Challenge of Civil Society in Burma, by Martin Smith Chapter 3 No Room to Move: Legal Constraints on Civil Society in Burma, by Zunetta Liddell Chapter 4 Axe-handles or Willing Minions? International NGOs in Burma, by Marc Purcell