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Politics Of Myanmar




The politics of Myanmar are dominated by its Authoritarian Dictatorship form of government, which is controlled by the Military ( Tatmadaw ) in the form of the State Peace And Development Council (SPDC). A parliamentary government was elected in 1990, but was not honoured.


POLITICAL HISTORY

Historically, Burma was a Monarchy ruled by various dynasties prior to the 1800s. The British colonised Burma in the 1800s, and it was under the juridstiction of British India until the 1900s.


Independence

On January 4 1948 , Burma achieved independence from Britain, and became democracy based on the Parliamentary System . However, in 1962, a Coup D'état took place, and Burma, under the Burmese Way To Socialism and its leader Ne Win , attempted to convert itself into a Socialist government.


Military Junta

On September 18 1988 , the military Junta seized power under the hand of Saw Maung . (It was at this time, also, that the nation began pushing Myanmar As Its Official Name .) The junta promised parliamentary elections, which were held on May 27 1990 , and the National League For Democracy (NLD) won the majority (80.8%) of 485 available seats. However, the elections have not been honoured, and the country remains under a dictatorship.

Saw Maung unexpectedly resigned as head of state on April 23 1992 , for health reasons, and Than Shwe replaced him as Chairman of the State Law And Order Restoration Council , Secretary of Defense, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Than rules Myanmar to the present.


CURRENT POLITICS



Administrative divisions

Myanmar is divided into 7 divisions and 7 states. States and divisions are classified by ethnic composition. The 7 divisions (''taing'') are Ayeyarwady Division , Bago Division , Magway Division , Mandalay Division , Sagaing Division , Tanintharyi Division and Yangon Division . The 7 states (''pyinè'') are Chin State , Kachin State , Kayin State , Kayah State , Mon State , Rakhine State and Shan State .

''' 1974 (suspended since September 18 1988 ); national convention started on January 9 1993 to draft a new constitution; chapter headings and three of 15 sections have been approved

Suffrage : 18 years of age; universal


Executive branch

chief of state:

head of government:

cabinet:

elections:

:Other members of the SPDC:
::Vice-chairman of SPDC: Maung Aye
::Prime minister: Soe Win
::Defence minister: Than Shwe
::Foreign minister: Nyan Win
::Home affairs minister: Tin Hlaing


Legislative branch

A unicameral People's Assembly (''Pyithu Hluttaw''), in which 492 seats are elected by popular vote in four-year terms, has never convened. The last elections were held May 27 1990 .


Judicial system

Myanmar's judicial system is limited. British-era laws and legal systems remain much intact, but there is no guarantee of a fair public trial. The judiciary is not independent of the executive branch. Myanmar does not accept compulsory International Court Of Justice jurisdiction.


Political parties and leaders

National League For Democracy or NLD ( Aung Shwe , chairman, Aung San Suu Kyi , general secretary); National Unity Party or NUP (proregime) ( Tha Khaw ); Union Solidarity And Development Association or USDA (proregime, a social and political organization) ( Than Aung , general secretary); and eight minor legal parties


Political pressure groups and leaders

All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF); Kachin Independence Army (KIA); Karen National Union (KNU); National Coalition Government Of The Union Of Burma (NCGUB) (Dr. Sein Win ) consists of individuals legitimately elected to the People's Assembly but not recognized by the military regime; the group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government; Democratic Voice Of Burma ( Oslo -based opposition broadcasting service); several Shan factions; United Wa State Army (UWSA)


International organization participation

AsDB , ASEAN , CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA , IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF , IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol , IOC , ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN , UNCTAD, UNESCO , UNIDO, UPU, WHO , WMO, WToO, WTrO


SOURCES