Abstract

• The aim of the study is to draw up a holistic picture of Myanmar’s geopolitical consideration, and discuss the features of geopolitics in terms of both classical and critical approaches. It examines the transformation of classical geopolitics to critical geopolitical discourse and it also attempts to apply these approaches of geopolitics to Myanmar’s geopolitical consideration. Classical geopolitics emphasis on the physical space, power, technology by reflecting the conventional aspects of national economic, political, and military strategy and on the other hand, critical geopolitics focus on other important factors like quality of the environment knowledge, geoeconomic factors by challenging traditional aspects of geopolitical thinking. In assessing Myanmar geopolitical consideration, this study will highlight how Myanmar’s situation deals with classical context and critical discourse by focusing China-Myanmar interactions. Based on this background, the main research question of this study is “how does current Myanmar’s geopolitics go along traditional (classical) of geopolitics, or along to critical approach while trend of the geopolitics is transformed from classical to critical geopolitics”. In terms of classical geopolitical approach, it try to highlight the concept of Lines of Communication (LOC) in Myanmar’s strategic concerns by giving example of some significant projects under China’s BRI. As for the critical geopolitical discourse, Myanmar–China relations in the context of domestic debate on Myitsone dam project is assessed in line with China’s involvement and concerns in the dam project.