Civil Wars· 2026Q1
Innovating Armed Group Financing and Governance: How Myanmar’s NUG United Digital Technologies and Traditional Practices
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) has innovated armed group financing by integrating digital tools like online banks, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency with traditional methods, differentiating itself from other armed organizations.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- The NUG has adopted a novel financing strategy by integrating digital technologies with traditional fundraising.
- Digital innovations include online banks, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, bonds, and online lotteries.
- The NUG's financing differs from other armed groups due to low territorial control and competition.
- Leaders' governing experience, technical/financial knowledge, and center-seeking aims also shape the NUG's strategy.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
What explains why armed groups choose particular funding strategies over other options? We analyse Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), formed by deposed officials after a 2021 coup. Alongside traditional fundraising methods, the NUG has innovated through establishing an online bank, digital wallet, and cryptocurrency, selling bonds and future property rights, and holding online lotteries. We argue the NUG’s financing strategy has differed from Myanmar’s other armed organisations for four reasons: (1) low territorial control; (2) competition requiring reaching new audiences; (3) NUG leaders’ governing experience and technical and financial knowledge and connections; and (4) centre-seeking aims meaning greater legitimacy concerns.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Civil Wars, 2026 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Political Science and International Relations
Political Science and International RelationsSocial Sciences