This book is the first study to an offer insight into non-armed, non-insurgent members of ethnic groups that are associated with well-known armed organizations. It analyzes the nature of the relationships between the "quiet" minorities and their "rebel" counterparts and assesses how these intra-ethnic differences and divisions affect the armed resistance movement, negotiation with state authorities, conflict resolution, and political reform. This field-based study of the Karen in Burma also provides theoretical and policy implications for other ethnically polarized countries.

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

Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung is associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She is the author of Beyond Militant Resistance: The Non-insurgent Members of Ethno-national Groups in Myanmar (2011), The Karen Revolution: Diverse Voices, Uncertain Ends (2008), and Behind the Teak Curtain: Authoritarianism, Agricultural Policies and Political Legitimacy in Rural Burma (2004). Her areas of specialization are on Southeast Asian and Burmese politics, ethnic politics, identity politics, political economy and comparative politics.