Abstract
Nepal and Myanmar are part of a new generation of emerging federal systems, built to hold together an ethnically divided state after conflict. Several of the features of their deliberations and federal systems are a result of this holding-together formation process and its association with democratization and conflict resolution. Other features are partly derivative of social structures, such as the political party systems and the make-up of the constituent units, while the balance of power between the three sets of actors, in a path-dependent context, is also critical (e.g., electoral systems). Both are test cases for simultaneous democratization and federalization, and of transformative versus incremental federalization. However, the prospects for further federalization in Myanmar declined considerably in early 2021, following a military coup. This demonstrates how tenuous federalization and democratization processes can be, and the depth of disagreement regarding the character and identity of the state. But should Myanmar complete its process toward a “genuine federalism” that ends the violent civil conflicts between armed organizations, and Nepal embed its transformation by devolving real power and resources to the provinces and local levels, they will provide evidence for the viability of a parallel transformation for conflict resolution.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acharya, K. K. (2018). Local governance restructuring in Nepal: From government to governability. Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 12, 37–49.
Alesina, A., Devleeschauwer, A., Easterly, W., Kurlat, S., & Wacziarg, R. (2003). Fractionalization. Journal of Economic Growth, 8(2), 155–194.
Batcheler, R. (2018). State and region governments in Myanmar, New edn..Retrieved from Yangon
Benz, A. (2015). Making democracy work in a federal system. German Politics, 24(1), 8–25.
Bhusal, T. (2020). District coordination committees in Nepal: What are they? Why do we need them? Online: Medium.
Breen, M. G. (2018a). Nepal, federalism and participatory constitution-making: Deliberative democracy and divided societies. Asian Journal of Political Science, 26(3), 410–430.
Breen, M. G. (2018b). The origins of holding-together federalism: Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 48(1), 26–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/publius/pjx027
Breen, M. G. (2018c). The road to federalism in Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka: Finding the middle ground. Routledge.
Breen, M. G. (2019). Asymmetry or equality? Ethnic nationalities in a Bamar-dominated state. A country study of constitutional asymmetry in Myanmar. In P. Popelier & M. Sahadzic (Eds.), Constitutional asymmetry in multinational federalism. Palgrave Macmillan.
Breen, M. G., & He, B. (2020). Do people really want ethnic federalism anymore? Results from deliberations on the role of ethnic identity in federal institutions. In J. Chalmers, C. Galloway, & J. Liljeblad (Eds.), Living with Myanmar (pp. 289–314). Singapore.
Burgess, M. (2012). In search of the federal spirit: New comparative empirical and theoretical perspectives. Oxford University Press.
Committee on the Restructuring of the State and Distribution of State Power. (2010). Report on Concept Paper and Preliminary Draft. Retrieved from Kathmandu.
Crouch, M. (2019). The Constitution of Myanmar: A contextual analysis. Hart Publishing.
Democracy Resource Centre. (2018). Findings on functioning of local and provincial governments in Nepal. Retrieved from Kathmandu.
Erk, J. (2008). Explaining federalism: State, society and congruence in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Routledge.
Filippov, M., & Shvetsova, O. (2013). Federalism, democracy and democratization. In A. Benz & J. Broschek (Eds.), Federal dynamics: Continuity, change, and the varieties of federalism. Oxford Scholarship Online.
Ghai, Y. (2011). Ethnic identity, participation and social justice: A constitution for new Nepal. International Journal on Minority and Group Rights, 18(3), 309–334.
Hachhethu, K. (2014). Balancing identity and viability: Restructuring Nepal into a viable federal state. In B. Karki & R. Edrinsinha (Eds.), The federalism debate in Nepal: Post peace agreement constitution making in Nepal, 2 (pp. 35–54). United Nations Development Programme Support to Participatory Constitution Building.
High Level State Restructuring Commission. (2011). “Recommendation report of the high level commission for state restructuring”, Majority Report, Retrieved from Kathmandu http://www.spcbn.org.np/index.php?action=resources
Jha, P. (2014). Battles of the new republic: A contemporary history of Nepal. Hurst and Co.
Kamat, R. K. (2019). “Province 2 sues federal government”, The Himalayan Times, Retrieved from https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/province-2-sues-federal-government/
Karki, B. (2014). State restructuring and federalism discourse in Nepal. In B. Karki & R. Edrisinha (Eds.), The federalism debate in Nepal: Post peace agreement constitution making in Nepal (Vol. 2, pp. 1–23). United Nations Development Programme Support to Participatory Constitution Building Nepal.
Karki, R. (2015). “India’s demands grind Nepal to a standstill”, Australian Outlook, Australian Institute of International Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/indias-demands-grind-nepal-to-a-standstill/
Lawoti, M. (2005). Towards a democratic Nepal: Inclusive political institutions for a multicultural society. SAGE Publications.
Lawoti, M. (2008). Exclusionary democratization in Nepal, 1990–2002. Democratization, 15(2), 363–385.
Lwin, E. E. T., & Lone, W. (2016). “NLD control over chief ministers riles ethnic parties”, The Myanmar Times. Retrieved from http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/19694-nld-control-over-chief-ministers-riles-ethnic-parties.html
Lwin, S. (2018). “New self-administered areas struggle to assert authority”, Myanmar Times. Retrieved from www.mmtimes.com/national-news/9589-new-self-administered-areas-struggle-to-assert-authority.html
Malagodi, M. (2013). Constitutional nationalism and legal exclusion: Equality, identity politics and democracy in Nepal (1990-2007). Oxford University Press.
Miklian, J. (2009). Nepal’s Terai: Constructing an ethnic conflict. Retrieved from Oslo: http://file.prio.no/Publication_files/Prio/Nepals%20Terai%20(South%20Asia%20Briefing%20Paper%201).pdf
Moe, K. Z. (2020). “Ex-regional chief minister jailed for 30 years in landmark Myanmar corruption case”, The Irrawaddy. Retrieved from https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/commentary/myanmars-ruling-nld-must-address-achilles-heel-choosing-wrong-people.html
Nixon, H., Joelene, C., Saw, K. P. C., Linn, T. A., & Arnold, M. (2013). State and region governments in Myanmar. Retrieved from Yangon: https://asiafoundation.org/resources/pdfs/ConflictTerritorialAdministrationfullreportENG.pdf
Nyein, N. (2020). “NLD reaches out to Myanmar’s ethnic parties seeking federal union and an end to civil war”, The Irrawaddy, 13 November 2020. Retrieved from https://www.irrawaddy.com/elections/nld-reaches-myanmars-ethnic-parties-seeking-federal-union-end-civil-war.html.
Payne, I. (2020). Transition in crisis: COVID-19 and federalisation in Nepal. Asian Law Centre, University of Melbourne. Retrieved from https://law.unimelb.edu.au/centres/alc/engagement/asian-legal-conversations-covid-19/alc-original-articles/transition-in-crisis-covid-19-and-federalisation-in-nepal
Pradhan, T. R. (2019). “Federal government is showing no signs of devolving power, chief ministers say”, The Kathmandu Post, Retrieved from kathmandupost.com/national/2019/04/28/federal-government-shows-no-signs-of-devolving-power-chief-ministers-say.
Reid, A. (2010). Imperial alchemy: Nationalism and political identity in Southeast Asia. Cambridge University Press.
Republica. (2020). “PM Oli races to save his hold on power as Nepal-Dahal alliance seeks his ouster”, myRepublica, 29 April 2020, Retrieved from https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/pm-oli-races-to-save-his-hold-on-power-as-nepal-dahal-alliance-seeks-his-ouster/.
Sharma, B., & Kharel, P. (2015). “NC-UML coalition will continue until the constitution is written”, eKantipur, 12 January 2015, Retrieved from http://www.ekantipur.com/2015/01/12/interview/nc-uml-coalition-will-continue-until-the-constitution-is-written/400222.html
Smith, M. J. (1991). Burma: Insurgency and the politics of ethnicity. Zed Books.
Stepan, A. C. (1999). Federalism and democracy: Beyond the US model. Journal of Democracy, 10(4), 19–34.
Tan, N., Minoletti, P., Bjarnegard, E., & Tun, A. L. (2020). Party building and candidate selection: Intraparty politics and promoting gender equality in Myanmar. Retrieved from Yangon.
Taylor, R. H. (2009). The state in Myanmar. National University of Singapore Press.
Thawnghmung, A. M., & Yadana. (2017). “Citizenship and minority rights: The role of ’National Race Affairs’”, Ministers in Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution. In A. South & M. Lall (Eds.), Citizenship in Myanmar: Ways of being in and from Burma (pp. 113–139). ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
Union Peace Conference. (2020). Union Peace Accord Part III. National Reconciliation and Peace Centre. Retrieved from http://www.nrpc.gov.mm/en/index.php/node/470
Waitan. (2020). “State counsellor to lead team to form region, state governments”, Myanmar Times, 17 November 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mmtimes.com/news/state-counsellor-lead-team-form-region-state-cabinets.html
Walton, M. J. (2013). The ‘Wages of Burman-ness’: Ethnicity and Burman privilege in contemporary Myanmar. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 43(1), 1–27.
Watts, R. L. (1999). Comparing federal systems (2nd ed.). Published for the School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University by McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Breen, M.G. (2022). Federalism and Conflict Resolution in Nepal and Myanmar. In: Keil, S., Kropp, S. (eds) Emerging Federal Structures in the Post-Cold War Era. Federalism and Internal Conflicts. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93669-3_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93669-3_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-93668-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-93669-3
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)