Post on 17-Jul-2015
Political Setting:
Myanmar
• Myanmar was governed according to the provisions of theconstitution of 1948 until thecoup d’état of 1962, after whichthe existing form of governmentwas eradicated. In 1974 a newconstitution was adopted. This
Political Setting:
Myanmar
document served as the basis ofgovernmental organization untilits suspension after the militarycoup of September 1988.
Political Setting:
Myanmar
The military set up a State Lawand Order Restoration Council(SLORC) to rule Myanmar untilelections could be held. Whenthe SLORC lost overwhelminglyin elections held in 1990, itdelayed turning over
Political Setting:
Myanmar
government to civilian controluntil it could write a newconstitution. Many winners ofthat election were arrested;others were invited to join withother delegates selected by theSLORC in a constitutional
Political Setting:
Myanmar
convention. The convention firstmet in January 1993 but wasadjourned in March 1996without producing aconstitution. The SLORCreconvened the constitutionalconvention in 2004, and it
Political Setting:
Myanmar
continued to meet into 2005.Unlike the previous convention,however, it did not includerepresentatives from thecountry’s main opposition group,the National League forDemocracy (NLD).
Political Setting:
Myanmar
A. Central Government
The core of Myanmar’s centralgovernment is the State Peaceand Development Council(SPDC), which was formed in1997 when the SLORC wasdissolved. The SPDC is made up
Political Setting:
Myanmar
of military men. It is currentlyheaded by Senior General ThanShwe as chairman, who isassisted by a vice chairman, afirst secretary, and 18 othermembers. General Than Shweand about 30 ministers handle
Political Setting:
Myanmar
the administrative direction ofthe government, withresponsibility for areas such asagriculture, education, foreignaffairs, national planning, andreligious affairs. Some ministersand deputy ministers are not
Political Setting:
Myanmar
from the military. In November2005 the government beganmoving government offices fromYangon to a new administrativecapital, later named Naypyidaw,in the central part of the country.
Political Setting:
Myanmar
A. Judiciary
The administration of justice isdirected by local Law and OrderRestoration Councils (LORCs). Achief judge, a five-membersupreme court, and an attorneygeneral were appointed by theSLORC after it came to power.
Political Setting:
Myanmar
The martial law and curfewimposed since the 1988 couphave been lifted in most of thecountry. Public gatherings of fiveor more people remain illegalwithout a special permit.
Political Setting:
Myanmar
Source:
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