Federalism in Myanmar

The central purpose of this book is to examine answers to questions regarding the kind of political system that Myanmar urgently needs to develop. Myanmar has suffered the endless civil war for decades since regaining its sovereignty in 1948. Therefore, the lead research question is: What kind of federal democratic model is the most suitable for Myanmar and what kind of political arrangements should be in place?

To examine answers for this question, the author employed a descriptive–qualitative approach and triangulation research method including interviews with politicians and activists in Myanmar, field observation and analysis of historical documents. The author examines the contemporary political issues of Myanmar in term of federalism to ensure that analysis of this book does not omit the actual political process performed by the government. As a result of the study, Myanmar needs a tailored federal model which is the best to accommodate the ethnically divided country that would enhance solutions to ethnic conflicts and end the civil war.