This article examines strategic violence by Myanmar's military during its transition from decades of rule. The authors find the military initiated conflict in economically valuable jade mining regions, fearing civilian government would seize control over these resources.
Data & Methods: Using geocoded data on conflicts and jade mines reveals sharp increases in violence following democratization efforts starting in 2011.
Alternative Explanations Tested: The study rules out other theories including potential shifts in military strategy, proximity to military bases, commodity price fluctuations, opposition to a controversial dam project, or regional trends specific to Kachin State.
Key Findings & Implications: This pattern demonstrates how departing generals can leverage instability for continued economic gain. These findings highlight the 'this means that' relationship between strategic violence and resource protection during political transitions.
