Crafting Parliament in Myanmar's Disciplined Democracy (2011-2021)

In January 2011, Myanmar's parliament was restored after two decades of military rule. It began to repeal obsolete laws, scrutinize government expenditures, summon ministers to the floor, and discuss the state's annual budget. However, ten years later, in February 2021, parliament was shut down again by a coup d'état. This book offers a compelling account of Myanmar's halting efforts to develop the institutional framework and practice of a parliament-based democratic governance between 2011 and 2021. It charts the stages of such a legislative resurgence, tracing its causes and exploring how various institutional and political legacies informed and constrained the re-establishment and operations of the Union legislature, or Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

After two decades of military rule, Myanmar's parliament was restored in January 2011. It began to repeal obsolete laws, scrutinize government expenditures, summon ministers to the floor, and discuss the state's annual budget. It also allowed its elected representatives to make public the grievances collected from constituents infuriated at enduring practices of land confiscation, petty corruption, and everyday abuses of power.

Yet, ten years later, in February 2021, parliament was shut down, again, by a coup d'état. What has been learned in the span of a decade of post-junta parliamentary resurgence? How could an elected legislature resurface - and function - in a country that had only limited experience with parliamentary affairs and representative politics since its independence from British rule? What lessons can be drawn from the Myanmar case for parliamentary institution-building and legislative developments (and decay) in post-authoritarian and praetorian contexts?

This book offers a compelling account of Myanmar's halting efforts to develop the institutional framework and practice of a parliament-based democratic governance between 2011 and 2021. It charts the stages of such a legislative resurgence, tracing its causes, and exploring how various institutional and political legacies both informed and constrained the re-establishment and operations of the Union legislature, or Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Embracing both ethnographic observations and a methodical engagement with legislative proceedings and historical material, Renaud Egreteau investigates how parliamentary life (re)emerged in Myanmar in the 2010s. His analysis concentrates on key legislative mechanisms, processes, and tasks pertaining to government oversight, budgetary control, representation, and lawmaking.

The restoration of Myanmar's parliament in 2011 was a significant milestone in the country's political development. After two decades of military rule, the parliament was able to function again, and it began to address some of the issues that had plagued Myanmar for years. One of the most notable achievements of the parliament was its ability to repeal obsolete laws that had been in place for decades. These laws had been used by the military government to suppress dissent and maintain its hold on power.

The parliament also began to scrutinize government expenditures, which had been a major concern for many Myanmar citizens. The government had been spending large amounts of money on projects that had little to no impact on the country's development, and the parliament was able to hold the government accountable for its spending decisions.

Another important aspect of the parliament's work was its ability to summon ministers to the floor to answer questions about their policies and actions. This was a significant step in ensuring that the government was held accountable for its actions and that the people had access to information about the government's plans and policies.

The parliament also played a role in discussing the state's annual budget, which was a critical aspect of the country's development. The budget was used to allocate resources to different sectors of the economy, and the parliament was able to ensure that the budget was used in a way that benefited the people of Myanmar.

Despite these achievements, the parliament was not without its challenges. One of the most significant challenges was the lack of experience and expertise among the members of the parliament. Many of the members had been elected to the parliament for the first time, and they were not familiar with the workings of the parliament or the political system in Myanmar. This led to some confusion and uncertainty among the members, and it was difficult for them to effectively carry out their duties.

Another challenge was the political climate in Myanmar, which was still very volatile and unstable. The military government had been in power for decades, and it had a strong hold on the country's political system. The parliament was not able to operate without the support of the military government, and it was difficult for the parliament to assert its independence and authority.

Despite these challenges, the parliament was able to make some progress in developing the institutional framework and practice of a parliament-based democratic governance. The parliament was able to establish committees to investigate issues of public interest, and it was able to hold the government accountable for its actions.

The parliament also played a role in promoting democracy and human rights in Myanmar. The parliament was able to pass laws that protected the rights of the people, such as the right to freedom of speech and the right to assembly. The parliament also played a role in promoting women's rights and gender equality in Myanmar, and it was able to pass laws that promoted these rights.

In conclusion, the restoration of Myanmar's parliament in 2011 was a significant milestone in the country's political development. The parliament was able to address some of the issues that had plagued Myanmar for years, such as repealing obsolete laws, scrutinizing government expenditures, summoning ministers to the floor, and discussing the state's annual budget. Despite the challenges that the parliament faced, it was able to make some progress in developing the institutional framework and practice of a parliament-based democratic governance. The parliament was able to establish committees to investigate issues of public interest, hold the government accountable for its actions, and promote democracy and human rights in Myanmar. However, the parliament still faces many challenges, and it will be important for the people of Myanmar to continue to support the parliament and work towards building a more democratic and prosperous country.

Weight: 624g
Dimension: 243 x 160 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192858740