Introduction: Development Challenges in Myanmar: Political Development and Politics of Development Intertwined

Abstract

Myanmar faces enormous development challenges in the midst of a rapidly changing and uncertain landscape both in terms of politics and international aid. This article probes into the intertwined nature of political development and the politics of development, drawing upon existing literature and contributions of this special issue. It critically analyzes the mismatch between the long-term societal change processes that Myanmar faces, on the one hand, and the instability of domestic politics and international development, on the other. It is argued that the prospects for development in Myanmar need to be assessed in a context of constant interaction between political development and the politics of development.