“INFIDELS AMONG US”: THE RISE OF BUDDHIST NATIONALISM IN SRI LANKA AND MYANMAR THROUGH STATE AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT
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Authors
Gatti, Christina A.
Subjects
social movements
social movement theory
government policies
Buddhist nationalism
ethno-nationalism
ethno-religious political parties
religious violence
ethnic cleansing
genocide
minority rights
language and citizenship laws
ethnic politics
Sri Lanka
Myanmar
Burma
refugees
internally displaced persons
Tamils
Rohingya
Muslim minorities
religious terrorism
Bodu Bala Sena
Ma Ba Tha
uncivil society
social media
social movement theory
government policies
Buddhist nationalism
ethno-nationalism
ethno-religious political parties
religious violence
ethnic cleansing
genocide
minority rights
language and citizenship laws
ethnic politics
Sri Lanka
Myanmar
Burma
refugees
internally displaced persons
Tamils
Rohingya
Muslim minorities
religious terrorism
Bodu Bala Sena
Ma Ba Tha
uncivil society
social media
Advisors
Leavitt, Sandra R.
Mabry, Tristan J.
Date of Issue
2023-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Social movement theory typically helps us understand how and why civil and uncivil society groups strive to create social and political change, facing off against governments opposed to change. What if social movements also include ethno-religious groups that represent the more extreme aspects of ethno-nationalism when supported by their government’s policies and powerful political parties? This thesis identifies this gap in the literature and argues that some social movements work with government officials when their interests match. It examines two specific Buddhist nationalist groups within Myanmar and Sri Lanka from 2009–2019 that have had a negative influence on democratic processes by targeting Muslim minorities with impunity, namely Ma Ba Tha (MBT) and Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), respectively. Both groups allow for political intrusion through comingling state and nonstate resources, shared narrative framing focused on Muslim minorities as existential threats, extensive use of social media platforms, and the circumvention of democratic and judicial processes which could have protected Muslims in both countries. Finally, the use social media and hate speech among these groups is a resource, framing mechanism, and political opportunity that both social movements and uncivil society use to further their anti-Muslim narrative.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.