Against the odds: Building a coalition using a new federalism for unity and progress in Myanmar

This paper outlines an approach to progress in Myanmar. The paper builds upon field trips to the Kachin, Karen, Mon and Shan states and to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and uses the framework developed in the book “Why Nations Fail”. The author argues that a broad coalition of the incumbent party, the democratic opposition, ethnic groups and the military is needed to fundamentally change Myanmar’s orientation. This broad coalition should work for a new federalism in which states (at a minimum) have fairly elected governors and meaningful revenue sources so they can run many of their own affairs.