Decentralization of Myanmar Government: The separation of power between Central and Local Government

Abstract

The Study is to explain how Myanmar government instituted the effective decentralized structure and process with the separation of powers from the Central Government to the local State and Region (S/R) Governments after adopting 2008 Constitution. The purpose of the thesis is to describe the significant reform of decentralized structure, the sharing power between the central and local government in Myanmar and how Myanmar government created local governance structure into more effective and greater local autonomy under the 2008 Constitution and its subsequent laws after transforming the country from the totalitarian into the discipline-flourishing democratic country. Thus, the study is emphasized with the description and explanation particularly focusing on the ingredients of the separation of powers and decentralized structure that are promulgated in the Constitution, including how this separation of power and decentralization impacts on the local governance structure reform. The findings of the thesis suggest that if the local government enjoys more autonomy, their performance will become more effective and the quality of local service delivery will become more efficient. Moreover, it is also noted that decentralization of the local governance structure solely depends on the satisfaction of the local people in the local region.