Book

Community welfare organisations in rural Myanmar : precarity and parahita

Griffiths, Mike (Conservationist), author

Overview

\"This book provides an in-depth study of the moral economies emerging from within conditions of precarity in rural communities in contemporary Myanmar. James C. Scott's seminal work on 'The Moral Economy of the Peasant' argued that peasant notions of subsistence and expectations of reciprocity formed the basis for subsequent rebellion as economic conditions changed and new market forces were introduced. Now, nearly a century on, Michael Griffiths argues that the conditions faced by rural communities in Myanmar remain precarious, but different forms of moral economy shape their responses. In the contemporary context, the moral economy of rural communities is characterized by the emergence of localized, self-organized community welfare associations which adopt a sophisticated iteration of self-help framed by the Buddhist concept of parahita (altruism). This book analyses the performative nature of these welfare organizations as a form of politics, asking how notions of citizenship expressed in these organizations promote more inclusive, or more exclusive practices towards non-Buddhist minorities. At a time when discourse on identity in Myanmar has been dominated by practices of othering and exclusion, this book provides an important analysis of what citizenship and reciprocity means in contemporary rural Myanmar\"-- Provided by publisher.

• Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Fancis Group
• Subject: Social service, Rural Burma. / Rural development Burma. / Economic development Moral and ethical aspects Burma. / Peasants Burma. / Burma Rural conditions.
• ISBN: 9780367429737

Item info:

1 item available

1 item total in all locations

Holdings :

Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
HN670.7.Z9 G75 2020	1	BOOK	AUTOSTORE