Governance and Human Insecurity in Myanmar

Abstract

Over the past decade, Myanmar has undergone several changes in the way it is governed from a formalized military junta to a mixed civilian and military system. There remain, however, multiple challenges to the well-being of people in Myanmar, and human insecurity disproportionately affects ethnic nationalities and minority groups. This chapter identifies three significant challenges to achieving human-centered governance in Myanmar: (1) trust-building with the military to cede power; (2) building bureaucratic capacity to fulfill election promises and establish the rule of law at the national and local levels; and (3) developing an effective political party system. As a result of these challenges, the prospects of a democratic system of government remain dim in the near term and addressing human insecurity will be incremental in nature.