Federal Design in Myanmar

This book explores federalism as a pathway for unity, stability, and inclusivity in Myanmar, a nation marked by ethnic diversity and historical struggles for autonomy. Bringing together leading scholars, practitioners, and civil society actors, it offers practical contributions to Myanmar’s evolving federal constitutional design and draws lessons applicable to other conflict-affected and divided societies. Through comparative analysis and ground case studies, the book explores competing visions of federalism, emerging bottom-up governance models, and the political contestations shaping Myanmar’s future. It provides fresh insights into legitimacy, representation, institutional design, ethnic autonomy, and the prospects for sustainable peace in a fractured state.

Michael G Breen is Senior Lecturer in Public Policy in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Soe Htet is a researcher in the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia.