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Legislators in Myanmar’s First “Post-Junta” National Parliament (2010–2015): A Sociological Analysis

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  • Renaud Egreteau

Abstract

In an attempt to better grasp the realities of Myanmar’s national legislature, which was formed after the 2010 elections, this paper examines the personal profiles and social backgrounds of its elected and appointed members. I have sought to record data on the social composition of Myanmar’s first “post-junta” parliament and provide a dataset for further comparative research on the resurgence of legislative affairs in the country. The study draws on official publications containing the biographies of 658 national parliamentarians. Focusing on six socio-demographic variables, the findings suggest that the typical Burmese legislator still closely mirrors the conventional image of Myanmar’s characteristic postcolonial leader: a man, in his mid-fifties, ethnically Bamar, Buddhist, holding a Myanmar university degree, engaged in business activities or in the education sector (in the case of the 492 elected legislators) or in the security sector (for the 166 military appointees). However, I argue that the profile of Myanmar’s first post-junta legislature offers a quite unexpected level of diversity that may augur well for the emergence of a new civilian policymaking elite in Myanmar.

Suggested Citation

  • Renaud Egreteau, 2014. "Legislators in Myanmar’s First “Post-Junta” National Parliament (2010–2015): A Sociological Analysis," Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 33(2), pages 91-124.
    • Handle: RePEc:gig:soaktu:v:33:y:2014:i:2:p:91-124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dovi, Suzanne, 2002. "Preferable Descriptive Representatives: Will Just Any Woman, Black, or Latino Do?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 96(4), pages 729-743, December.
    2. Maung Maung, 1960. "I—New Parliament in Burma," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 16(2), pages 139-144, April.
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