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VOL. 6, ISSUE 1 (2024)
Cycles of Civilian Fragility and Military Dominance: Post-Colonial Political Transformations in Myanmar
Authors
MD Sannaul Haque, Dr. Sandhya Tiwari
Abstract
This research paper explores the trajectory of Myanmar’s political
evolution from its post-colonial independence in 1948 to the consolidation of
military rule by the late 1980s. It examines how foundational challenges such
as ethnic diversity, colonial administrative legacies, and internal divisions
undermined early efforts at parliamentary democracy. The study highlights
pivotal events including the Panglong Agreement, the rise and fragmentation of
the AFPFL, the 1958 caretaker government, the 1962 military coup led by General
Ne Win, and the subsequent institutionalization of the Burmese Way to
Socialism. Through a detailed historical analysis, the paper argues that
recurring instability was driven by the civilian government’s failure to
address ethnic aspirations and insurgencies, combined with the military’s
increasing assertion of itself as a stabilizing force. These developments
reveal how authoritarian governance emerged not solely from opportunism, but
from the structural weaknesses of early democratic institutions. The study
concludes that Myanmar's democratic aspirations remain vulnerable to entrenched
military dominance unless deeper reforms and inclusive federal mechanisms are
realized.
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Pages:81-88
How to cite this article:
MD Sannaul Haque, Dr. Sandhya Tiwari "Cycles of Civilian Fragility and Military Dominance: Post-Colonial Political Transformations in Myanmar". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 6, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 81-88
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