The politics of co-optation in Myanmar

Abstract

Can you imagine Clive Palmer and Tony Abbott sharing a bunk bed in a dormitory? Would Tony be annoyed by Clive’s snoring? Or would Clive be irritated by Tony’s early morning workout? Well, there’s a place on earth where parliamentarians do live in dorms. Let me take you to Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. In 2010, after two decades of rule, the military decided to transform itself into a civilian government. But the parliament it created is overwhelmingly controlled by the pro-military party and ethnic minorities are co-opted into the parliament, to create the appearance of diversity and legitimacy while containing them in the dormitories to control their movements.