<![CDATA[Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country that has experienced complex political dynamics from the colonial period to the modern era, particularly in civil–military relations. Since gaining independence in 1948, Myanmar has been unable to escape the dominance of the military (Tatmadaw), which has repeatedly intervened in politics through coups in 1962, 1988, and 2021. This study aims to analyze the development of democracy in Myanmar and the influence of military dominance in the political transition process from the colonial era to the 2021 coup. The method used is library research with a descriptive qualitative approach, drawing on various scholarly sources such as books, journals, and research reports. This study employs Samuel P. Huntington’s civil–military relations theory and Robert A. Dahl’s theory of democracy as its analytical framework. The findings indicate that democratization in Myanmar has been unstable due to weak civilian control over the military. Although political reforms and democratic elections were held in 2010, 2015, and 2020, the military continued to maintain significant influence through the 2008 Constitution and direct intervention in governance. The coup on 1 February 2021, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, marked a turning point that halted democratization and triggered prolonged political, social, and humanitarian crises. Until today, Myanmar remains in a stagnant condition characterized by strong military dominance and weak civilian supremacy. It can therefore be concluded that the failure of democratic consolidation in Myanmar is primarily caused by the persistent and dominant role of the military within the state’s political structure.]]>
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