This timely Handbook describes the political, economic, cultural and strategic dimensions of this crucial period of transition in Myanmar life. It presents explanations for contradictory trends, including those that defy some of the early narratives about the comprehensive transformation of Myanmar life.

Adam Simpson is Director of the Centre for Peace and Security at the Hawke Research Institute and Senior Lecturer in International Studies at the University of South Australia. He is also Adjunct Research Fellow at the Centre for Governance and Public Policy at Griffith University, Australia.

Nicholas Farrelly is an Associate Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University and Director of the ANU Myanmar Research Centre.

Ian Holliday is Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at the University of Hong Kong.

Introduction 1. Explaining Myanmar in Flux and Transition, Nicholas Farrelly, Ian Holliday and Adam Simpson Part I: Fundamentals 2. The State, Maitrii Aung-Thwin 3. The Defence Services, Andrew Selth 4. Democracy, John H Badgley and Ian Holliday 5. Ethnicity and Identity, Violet Cho Part II: Spaces 6. The Capital, Nicholas Farrelly 7. Urban, Jayde Lin Roberts 8. Rural, Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung 9. Borderlands, Patrick Meehan and Mandy Sadan 10. Cyber-Spaces, Gerard McCarthy 11. Anomalous Spaces, Nicholas Farrelly Part III: Cultures 12. Languages, David Bradley 13. Religion, Charles Carstens 14. Arts, Charlotte Galloway 15. Public Discourse, Tom Kean 16. Diasporas, Inga Grusß 17. Youth, Jacqueline Menager Part IV: Living 18. Political Economy, Lee Jones 19. Agriculture, Ikuko Okamoto 20. Banking and Finance, Thomas Förch 21. FDI and Trade, Jared Bissinger Part V: Governance 22. Executive, Ian Holliday and Su Mon Thazin Aung 23. Legislature, Renaud Egreteau and Cindy Joelene 24. Judiciary, Melissa Crouch 25. Civil Society, Christina Fink and Adam Simpson 26. Education, Marie Lall 27. Health, Céline Coderey Part VI: International 28. World, David Steinberg 29. Regional, Jurgen Haacke 30. Neighbourhood, Renaud Egreteau and Li Chenyang 31. International Non-Governmental Organisations and Advocacy, John Dale and Samantha Samuel-Nakka 32. International Law and Inter-Governmental Organisations, Tyler Giannini and Matthew Bugher 33. International Assistance, Ian Holliday and Zaw Htet Part VII: Challenges 34. Peace and Reconciliation, Kim Jollife 35. Democratisation and Human Rights, Morten Pederson 36. Gender, Khin Mar Mar Kyi 37. Nation Building, Matthew Walton 38. Class and Inequality, Elliott Prasse-Freeman and Phyo Win Latt 39. Environment and Natural Resources, Adam Simpson Conclusion 40. Myanmar Futures, Adam Simpson, Ian Holliday and Nicholas Farrelly