Contradictions of federalization and nation-building process in contemporary Myanmar

This article contributes to discussion on ways and methods of nation-building in Myanmar. The national policy of the independent Myanmar state has been divided into five stages: (1) Panglong agreement and non-interference of the Union government into the affairs of ethnic minorities in exchange for their loyalty (1948-1962); (2) The coup of March 2, 1962 and forced assimilation of ethnic minorities within the framework of a unitary state (1962-1988); (3) The coup of September 18, 1988 and informal ceasefire agreements with ethnic minorities in exchange for maintaining the territorial integrity of the country (1989-2011); (4) Democratic transition and peaceful initiatives of the Union government to return ethnic minorities to the national political process (2011-2021); and (5) The “constitutional coup” of February 1, 2021 and consolidation of efforts to preserve the territorial integrity of Myanmar (2021 - present). The current government of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has approached the problem of separatism by ruthlessly oppressing intransigent armed opposition while negotiating nation- building initiatives with political parties representing different regions of the country. The essence of the current negotiations boils down to developing a new federal model for Myanmar, taking into account the wishes of ethnic minorities and the experience of foreign countries - primarily the Russian Federation.