Party mergers in Myanmar : a new development / Su Mon Thant.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cu Mvanʻ Sanʻʹ, author.

Series:

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2020, issue 8.

Trends in Southeast Asia ; 2020, issue 8

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political parties--Burma.

Political parties.

Politics, Practical--Burma.

Politics, Practical.

Burma--Politics and government--1988-.

Burma.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (42 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Singapore : ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2020.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Party mergers are a new development in Myanmar politics. Given that such mergers often assist the consolidation of new democratic regimes, some broader system-wide effects may also occur. Myanmar's ethnic parties consistently choose merger strategies over other forms of pre-electoral coalition. This highlights a transition from a focus on questions of authoritarianism and democracy to one on the creation of a federal system of government with a stronger cleavage between competing Bamar and ethnic nationalisms. Despite cooperation among political parties outside the electoral process, pre-electoral coalitions such as constituency-sharing or campaigning for allies have generally not been successful. Five of the six mergers among ethnic parties attempted prior to the 2015 general election failed. However, between 2017 and 2019, five mergers involving parties representing the Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin or Karen, and Mon ethnicities, achieved success. The successful mergers were motivated not only by desires for electoral success in 2020 but also by shared federal aims, which involve ethnic parties in Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin or Karen, and Mon states forming a strong local party in their respective regions to strive for ethnic equality and self-determination. The mergers are between parties with markedly different platforms and their success is conditioned by their preferences for particular kinds of federalism. Mergers cannot guarantee electoral success. And other pre-electoral coalitions, such as avoiding competition for the same constituencies, also proved successful in the 2018 by-elections. But what mergers can uniquely do is respond to public demand for parties to unite and make the resulting party stronger in terms of resources and public support. In general, mergers can reduce system fragmentation, avoid vote wastage and lead to the formation of stable parties. Ethnic party mergers also simplify party labels for voters and make it easier for them to vote on the basis of ethnic preferences. In addition, mergers can increase public interest and political participation among members of ethnic communities.

Contents:

Foreword

Executive summary

Introduction

Unattractive strategy becomes a trend

Cross-alliance collaborations

Move towards a shared federal vision

Case studies : Five ethnic party mergers

Conclusion.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 08 Oct 2021).

ISBN:

9789814881791

9814881791

OCLC:

1198931782