Stéphen Huard

Stéphen Huard, an anthropologist at the French Institute of Research for Development, delves into village leadership in Myanmar's central dry zone. He introduces the concept of 'calibrated engagement' to highlight how local leaders interact and negotiate power dynamics. Stéphen contrasts two villages to explore differing narratives of identity and hierarchy. He critiques global models of hierarchy, discusses the masculine nature of leadership roles, and connects his findings to the emergence of new local movements post-2021 coup. A fascinating exploration of local politics!