Discussion and Assignment

Institutionalization of Myanmar

Definitions of Institutionalization

1. Huntington, 1965

1. “a process by which organizations and procedures acquire value and stability”

2. the ‘art of associating together’ and the growth of political institutions.”

2. Douglass North (1994)

“composed of groups of individuals bound by a common purpose to achieve

objectives”

Bodies;

1.economic bodies (firms, trade unions, family farms, cooperatives);

2.social bodies; and
3.educational bodies (schools, colleges, vocational training centers).
4.Organizations in pursuit of their objectives are the primary source of institutional
change.
3. Scalapino (1984)

• “the process whereby a political structure is made operational in accordance with

1. stipulated rules and procedures,

2. enabling regularized, hence predictable, patterns of political behavior,

3. minimal trauma in power transfer, and

4. a foundation for the effective development of policies as well as the application of

justice.”

4. Sai Khaing Myo Tun (2011)

“Institutionalization is a process of making a political structure that operates under well-defined

rules and procedures that in turn will enable regularized patterns of political behavior of political
actors and other stakeholders of the state.”
Criteria of Political Institutionalization by Huntington

Adaptability-rigidity Complexity-Simplicity Autonomy- Coherence-Disunity

Subordination
Measurements The more complicated an The extent to which 1. (i.e. Logical,
1. Chronology organization is, the more political orderly, and
(The longer an highly institutionalized it organizations and consistent
organization or is procedures exists relation of parts)
procedure has been independently of The more unified and
in existence, the Complexity may involve other social coherent an organization
higher the level of 1. Multiplication of groupings and is, the more highly
institutionalization) subunits methods of institutionalized it is
2. Generation hierarchically and behaviour An effective
(The more often the functionally The autonomy of organization requires, at
organization has 2. Differentiation of political institutions minimum, substantial
surmounted the separate types of is measured by the consensus on the
problem of peaceful organizational extent to which they functional boundaries of
succession and subunits have their own the group and on the
replaced one set of An organization which interests and values procedures for resolving
leaders by another, the has many purposes is distinguishable disputes which come up
more highly better able to adjust itself from those of other within those boundaries.
institutionalized it is) to the loss of any one institutions and
intra-generation purpose than an social groupings.
succession organization which has A political party
inter-generation only one purpose. that expresses the
succession interests of only one
3. Functions group in society—
whether labor,
(The organization that business, or
has adapted itself to farmers— is less
changes in its autonomous than
environment and have one that articulates
survived one or more and aggregates the
changes in its principal interests of several
functions is more social groups.
highly institutionalized
than one that has not)
Group Discussion

Discuss political and economic institutionalization of Myanmar according to the criteria of

institutionalization proposed by Huntington.

Assignments

- Participants are requested to write an assignment (one for each) on the institutionalization
of Myanmar as a requirement for the fulfillment of this first semester.
- The assignment is preferable in English.
(1500 words in English and 3000 words in Myanmar)
- Applied information must include references in footnote and endnote.
- There must be research questions and findings in the conclusion.
- It must be finished before the exam starts.