ABSTRACT
In the first part of Chapter 3, Myanmar, the political history of the country (also known as Burma) is recounted from its transition from British rule to independence in 1948. This account includes analysis of the country’s initial but failed experience of parliamentary governance, extended military rule after 1962 under General New Win and his successors, the rise of a pro-democracy movement, and subsequent top-down reforms that have led to civilian rule since 2010. The latter part of the chapter examines the country’s key political institutions and social groups, namely the military, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, political parties, the legislature, Buddhist monks, and ethnic minority groups. A section devoted to state-society relations analyzes the military’s long dictatorial history and its current praetorian role. Political rights and human rights are also assessed in the chapter, including discussion of the crisis surrounding Myanmar’s Rohingya minority. A brief examination of the country’s economy and development follows noting the ill effects of Myanmar’s long decades of international economic isolation as well as new details about recent policy reforms leading to greater trade openness. The chapter closes with an overview of Myanmar’s foreign affairs including its relations with China, India, ASEAN, and the United States. A map of Myanmar is included for geographical reference.
