The Political System and Types

of Governance in Burma
Burma, also known as Myanmar, has a complex political system that has evolved over time. The country
gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948 and was ruled by a military junta for several
decades. In recent years, the country has undergone a political transition towards democracy, although
the process has been marked by significant challenges and setbacks. The current political system in
Burma is a presidential representative democratic republic, which means that the president is both the
head of state and government. The president is elected by a parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) for a five-
year term. The parliament is made up two house: The House of representatives (Pyithu Hluttaw) and the
House of Nationalities (Amyotha Hluttaw), with members elected by popular votes.

The president is responsible for appointing the cabinet which is made up of ministers who are
responsible for various government departments. The cabinet is accountable to the parliament, which
has the power to pass laws, approve the budget, and hold the government accountable. However, the
military holds significant power in the government, as it is guaranteed a quarter of the seats in
parliament and control of the key defense, home affairs, and border affairs ministries. Additionally, the
military has the power to declare a state of emergency and take control of government in certain
circumstances. The political system of Burma has faced criticism from both domestic and international
observers, who argue that it is not truly democratic due to the military’s influence and control over key
parts of the government. Although the country held elections in 2015 that were widely seen as a step
towards democracy, the military remains a powerful force in the country’s politics.

The political situation in Burma has been further complicated by ongoing conflicts with ethnic minority
groups, who have a long sought greater autonomy and political representation. The government has
been accused of human rights abuses in its efforts to suppress these groups, and the conflict has
displaced millions of people. In addition to these challenges, Burma has also faced significant economic
difficulties. The country has been subject to international sanctions for many years which have limited
its ability to trade and engage with the global economy. However, in recent years there has been some
progress towards economic liberalization, with foreign investments increasing and the government
taking steps to reform the economy.
The political system and type and governance in Burma is complex and evolving. While there have been
some positive steps towards greater democracy and economic reform in recent years, the country still
faces significant challenges in terms of political stability, human rights, and economic development.

After 1885, the country was administered as part of Bristish Inida until 1937. British Burma began with
its official recognition on the colonial map that marks its new borders containing over 100 ethnicities.
It was named Burma after the dominant ethnic group Bamar, who make up 68 percent of the
population.

During World War II a coalition of mostly members of the Bamar ethnic group volunteered to fight
alongside the Japanese in hope of overthrowing the occupying British forces. Meanwhile, many
other ethnic groups supported the Allied forces against the Bamar-backed Japanese forces. This
conflict would come to be very significant in the aftermath of World War II when Burma was granted
its independence from Great Britain in 1948. Prior to the end of their colonization, the British
government had created a novel map of the country with new borders that included some previously
sovereign ethnicities. Many groups of racially and culturally diverse people suddenly found
themselves as part of a country that was named after the Bamar, a group they did not identify with.
The division created during World War II only exacerbated the growing resentment towards the
Bamar. By granting independence to Burma, the British government handed the control of all the
containing ethnicities over to the Bamar.

Democracy was suspended in the country following a coup in 1962. The uncertainty and chaos
paved the way for a Burmese nationalist government to take over. From 1962 to 1988, the country
was ruled by the Burma Socialist Programme Party as a one-party state guided by the Burmese
Way to Socialism. The new Burmese leaders turned Burma into a Socialist Republic with
isolationism, and a Burmese superiority. The newfound Burmese nationalism put the Bamar majority
at the forefront, undoing the unification initiated through the Pin-Lone agreement. Additionally, the
growing disdain was enhanced through the forced coexistence between members of different
religions. Bamar kingdoms were almost exclusively Buddhist in the past. Most ethnic groups within
the Shan, Kayin, Kayar, and Chin state practiced their own versions of Animism, while people of the
Islamic faith lived alongside the Buddhists in the Arakan (now Rakhine) state. The annexation of all
the diverse groups into the British India deepened the religious polarization. The movement of
people across the border caused by the colonization added a large group of Hindu followers to the
mix. The strenuous conversion campaigns by the Catholic Christians and their competition with the
Methodist colonialists additionally divided minority groups such as the Karen and Kachin within
themselves. The colonial departure unleashed the animosity that has been building towards one
other. The death of Aung San, and the following leaderships ensured the lasting conflicts between
every cultural and religious group.[citation needed] The 1988 Uprising cemented the social, political, and civil
unrests that have plagued the country since.