ABSTRACT
When Burma gained independence from Britain in January 1948, it was fitted out with a Westminster-style system of parliamentary government in which prime minister and cabinet formed the most significant parts of the executive. This chapter seeks to contextualize the attempts made since 2011 to build a functioning executive and explores how the system operates. It looks briefly at the executive from 1948 to 2011. The chapter discusses the underpinnings of the system by examining provisions written into Myanmar's 2008 constitution. It analyses the executive in transitional Myanmar from 2011 to 2017, and focuses on the major policymaking bodies. The chapter presents three case studies of Thein Sein's executive in operation. It considers the major challenges facing the Myanmar executive under President Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma's first post-colonial constitution was enacted by a constituent assembly in September 1947, and became effective at independence in January 1948.
