Chapter One: An Assessment of Conflict in Myanmar Introduction Myanmar has a long history of ethnic and religious conflict fuelled by an oppressive military rule that has neglected the diversity of the country, and affected all ethnic groups and religions. There has been violence specifically targeted towards Muslims since the British colonial rulers encouraged the arrival of Muslim immigrants. In this chapter I will aim to analyse the conflict in Myanmar, focusing on Buddhist and Muslim relations, by using Levinger’s four step assessment process. This framework for analysis will allow me to critically evaluate the factors that drive conflict and peace in Myanmar, and to understand the extent to which religious actors and ideas are involved. Though there are many different factors that drive conflict in Myanmar, the focus of this study is Buddhist hate speech, and this form of hate speech has primarily concerned itself with religion. We must consider how, as Gopin observes, religion plays the central role in the inner-life and social behaviour of millions of people, and this is especially true in Myanmar.23 This is a point I noted when in the country. People are proud of their religious culture and identify themselves as their religious group. For example my tour guide in Yangon distinctly positioned himself in society as a Buddhist, and defined social groups in society by their religion. Additionally, many children are educated in the hundreds of monastic schools across the country, meaning from an early age they are introduced to a Buddhist way of life. A detailed contextual understanding of Buddhist/Muslim relations, and the role of religion in motivating actors in Myanmar, is necessary for this study to proceed in analysing the dangers of hate speech in Myanmar (chapter two), and the best methods for intervention (chapter three). This chapter is essential for my study as the 23 Gopin, M., (2002) ‘Religion, Violence and Conflict Resolution’, Peace and Change, vol.22, no. 1, p.2. - 18 -