Economy, Culture, and Civil War in Sri Lanka

"Will be of interest to those working on conflict and peace studies, economic development, cultural studies, and women in the modern world. A key new publication." --Chandra R. de Silva, Old Dominion University

"... offers a superb overview of how a civil war, driven by ethnicity, can engender a new culture and a new political economy... Highly recommended."

-- Choice

Economy, Culture, and Civil War in Sri Lanka provides a lucid and up-to-date interpretation of Sri Lankan society and its 20-year civil conflict. An interdisciplinary examination of the relationship between the economy, broadly defined, and the reproduction of violent conflict, this volume argues that the war is grounded not just in the goals and intentions of the opposing sides, but also in the everyday orientations, experiences, and material practices of all Sri Lankan people. The contributors explore changing political and policy contexts; the effect of long-term conflict on employment opportunities and life choices for rural and urban youth; life histories, memory, and narratives of violence; the "economics of enlisting" and individual decisions about involvement in the war; and nationalism and the moral debate triggered by women's employment in the international garment manufacturing industry.

Contributors are Francesca Bremner, Michele Ruth Gamburd, Newton Gunasinghe, Siri T. Hettige, Caitrin Lynch, John M. Richardson, Jr., Amita Shastri, Deborah Winslow, and Michael D. Woost.

"Will be of interest to those working on conflict and peace studies, economic development, cultural studies, and women in the modern world. A key new publication."

A timely examination of the everyday economy, experiences, and livelihoods in the context of Sri Lanka's civil war.

Will be of interest to those working on conflict and peace studies, economic development, cultural studies, and women in the modern world. A key newpublication. -- Chandra R. de Silva, Old DominionUniversity

... offers a superb overview of how a civil war, driven by ethnicity, can engender a new culture and a new political economy...Highly recommended.

-- Choice

Economy, Culture, andCivil War in Sri Lanka provides a lucid and up-to-date interpretation of Sri Lankansociety and its 20-year civil conflict. An interdisciplinary examination of therelationship between the economy, broadly defined, and the reproduction of violentconflict, this volume argues that the war is grounded not just in the goals andintentions of the opposing sides, but also in the everyday orientations, experiences, and material practices of all Sri Lankan people. The contributorsexplore changing political and policy contexts; the effect of long-term conflict onemployment opportunities and life choices for rural and urban youth; life histories, memory, and narratives of violence; the economics of enlisting andindividual decisions about involvement in the war; and nationalism and the moraldebate triggered by women's employment in the international garment manufacturingindustry.

Contributors are Francesca Bremner, Michele RuthGamburd, Newton Gunasinghe, Siri T. Hettige, Caitrin Lynch, John M. Richardson, Jr., Amita Shastri, Deborah Winslow, and Michael D. Woost.

Deborah Winslow is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Hampshire.

Michael D. Woost is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Hartwick College.

Contents

Acknowledgments

List of Acronyms

Map of Sri Lanka

Chapter 1. Introduction: Articulations of Economy and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka Deborah Winslow and Michael D. Woost

Part I: Articulations of National Economic Policy and Ethnic Conflict

Introduction Deborah Winslow

Chapter 2. Violent Conflict and the First Half-Decade of Open Economy Policies in Sri Lanka: A Revisionist View John M. Richardson, Jr.

Chapter 3. The Economy in a Time of Intense Civil War: Sri Lanka, 1994-2000 Amita Shastri

Part II: Articulations of Class, Ethnicity, and Violence

Introduction Michael D. Woost

Chapter 4. The Open Economy and Its Impact on Ethnic Relations in Sri Lanka Newton Gunasinghe

Chapter 5. Economic Policy, Changing Opportunities for Youth, and the Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka Siri T. Hettige

Part III: Articulations of Civil War in Everyday Life

Introduction Michael D. Woost

Chapter 6. Fragments of Memory, Processes of State: Ethnic Violence through the Life Histories of Participants Francesca Bremner

Chapter 7. The Economics of Enlisting: A Village View of Armed Service Michele Ruth Gamburd

Chapter 8. Economic Liberalization, Nationalism, and Women's Morality in Sri Lanka Caitrin Lynch

Chapter 9. Epilogue, or Prelude to Peace? Michael D. Woost and Deborah Winslow

Glossary of Sinhala and Tamil Terms and Note on Transliteration

References Cited

Contributors

Index