Springer Comparative Study of Child Soldiering on Myanmar-China Border: Evolutions, Challenges and Countermeasures (SpringerBriefs in Criminology)

From comparative perspective, this book explores the dynamics of child soldiering on the Myanmar-China border (i.e., Kachin and Shan States of Myanmar). At the same time, this book examines the structural factors and specific relationships between child soldiers, which have impacts on child soldiering. This book reveals that Myanmar has limited power to reduce child soldiering on the Myanmar-China border, and there is no optimal solution for reducing child soldiering in the near future. Instead, the book introduces the “transnational public-private partnership” approach as a “second best” solution and proposes suitable countermeasures for all the stakeholders. Review “The book does contribute to the study of child soldiering on the Myanmar-China border owing to the previous lack of comprehensive research on the topic and Chen’s use of a multitude of sources that help to portray a broad explanation of the problem. Chen sets the stage for further research of child soldiering on the Myanmar-China border, a problem that lacks adequate research and simultaneously requires effective action.” (Timothy Francis Hughes, Asian Journal of Social Science, Vol. 45 (1-2), 2017) “The author improves the field by amassing information from different disciplines about child soldiering in Myanmar on the Chinese border, and organizing this into a coherent structure. Readers enjoy a better understanding of child soldiering and regional affairs after reading this brief. … We recommend you read this compact volume. The author successfully organizes disparate information, enhancing our understanding of a little-studied, complex region, and thus encouraging the reader to care academically about Myanmar and child soldiering.” (Franklin Mark Osanka and Jeffrey Franklin Osanka, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 89 (3), September, 2016) “Comparative Study of Child Soldiering on Myanmar-China Border, a book written by Kai Chen, provides a valuable explanation of child soldiering on Myanmar-China border. … As it intends to provide a good understanding and to propose solutions to the phenomena of child soldiering along the Myanmar-China border, the book could be recommended to policy makers, academics, students, and stakeholders interested in finding a solution to that problem.” (Gabriel Amvane, Website of Academic Council on the United Nations System, acuns.org, August, 2016) “Kai Chen’s book on child soldiering is particularly welcome. … Chen describes and explains the historical context and the underlying causes of, arguably, the most acute contemporary case of child soldiering in the world, that of Myanmar. … his book provides a useful assessment of one of the most troubling cases of child soldiering in the world today.” (Simon Reich, E-International Relations, e-ir.ino, January, 2016) “Chen should be lauded for his bold study and for making a seminal contribution to a sensitive and important area which remains so underresearched. The book is a stellar addition on child soldiers both from the perspective of regional security and stability, as well as for policy makers and students of human rights dealing with the sociology of childhood, child rights and the psychological effects of living in a ‘total institution’.” (Subir Rana, Journal of Refugee Studies, Vol. 29 (3), 2016) “This slim volume presents a crucial humanitarian issue in Myanmar’s ongoing internal conflict … . this volume could serve as an introduction to the literature on child soldiering in Myanmar. … does adequately situate the phenomenon for students of international relations or policy studies, or for anyone one interested in an overview of the issue facing Myanmar.” (Jane Ferguson, H-Asia, H-net Reviews, networks.h-net.org, July, 2015) “This book provides an insightful look at the issue of child soldiering. It is clearly well researched, giving a thorough account of the historical aspects of children in conflicts more generally before considering the specific pre