| ID | 117190 |
| Title Proper | Waiting for a righteous ruler |
| Other Title Information | the Karen royal imaginary in Thailand and Burma |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Gravers, Mikael |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Karen believe they are like orphans without a king and leader; royalty often appear in their myths, legends and prophecies. Buddhist Karen await the next Buddha, Ariya Metteya - preceded by a righteous Karen leader - who shall cleanse the world. This paper explores the Karen imaginary and notions of royalty as preconditions for a new era governed by Buddhist ethics that will bring peace and prosperity. This imaginary combines religion and politics in a millenarian model of the world as seen from the margins of traditional kingdoms and modern nation-states - what James Scott has termed 'non-state spaces'. The Karen oscillate between defensive and offensive strategies, as shown in several examples. Is this imaginary a premodern phenomenon typical of marginalised minorities or perhaps also part of a modern, global imaginary of a better future? The concept of morally enchanted leadership is discussed in relation to states, nations and globalisation. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of South East Asian Studies Vol. 43, No.2; Jun 2012: p.340-363 |
| Journal Source | Journal of South East Asian Studies Vol. 43, No.2; Jun 2012: p.340-363 |
| Key Words | Karen ; Buddhist Karen ; Buddha ; Ariya Metteya ; Righteous Karen Leader ; Traditional Kingdoms ; Globalisation |