The evolution of land governance in Myanmar: A historical analysis of the people-land nexus in the Konbaung dynasty and British colonial eras

Abstract

Contemporary environmental challenges are deeply entwined with land-related issues, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the historical dynamics between communities and land for practical solutions. Myanmar has encountered significant societal and political disruptions during the colonial era. This study traces the evolving governance of the people-land relationship spanning the final Burmese state, the Konbaung dynasty period, and the British colonial era. Employing Foucauldian governmentality theory and genealogical analysis, this study illuminates traditional governance predating the colonial era while highlighting the distorted shifts in the people-land nexus. The monarchical Burmese state was instrumental in crafting a traditional agrarian society rooted in the tenets of Buddhist statecraft. It upheld liberal governance principles and recognized individual land property rights, fostering agricultural population in both regulatory and practical contexts. However, the British, despite propagating liberal ideologies, established an authoritarian top-down government in the forested areas, using modern statistical methods and scientific mapping. This study highlights the historical dynamics of the people-land relationship in Myanmar, providing essential insights for addressing contemporary environmental challenges and formulating policies that address contemporary land-related issues with sustainable and more equitable solutions. Future land policies should prioritize individual property rights and acknowledge the intrinsic connection between local communities and forested lands for sustainable governance.