"Myanmar?s governance problems originate from poor civil bureaucratic structures... Discussions of Myanmar tend to focus on its national politics, its ethnic schisms, or its state-society relations. What is often ignored is the state of the civil bureaucratic structure, which in Myanmar has steadily declined since the post-colonial governments took over the responsibility of political leadership. Bureaucracy is the arm of government that ultimately must deliver political promises and face the public in day-to-day matters. Yet concerns about the nature and role of Myanmar?s civil bureaucracy have been overshadowed by the salience of the seemingly more central political issues. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to redirect some attention to the country?s enduring bureaucracy and ways in which it could possibly be regenerated. The paper argues that as is usually the case in developing states under extended periods of either direct or indirect military rule, Myanmar?s civil bureaucracy has long been characterized by a high degree of centralization, a weak degree of administrative and managerial autonomy and an almost nonexistent consultative process. In addition, the paper also points out that unlike many developing countries, Myanmar has yet to undertake any comprehensive attempt at reforming its civil bureaucracy. This paper explores the two most common usages of the term ‘bureaucracy? and applies it to this paper. A broad historical overview of Myanmar?s civil bureaucracy since independence in order to provide some context is also conducted. The paper also considers prospects of bureaucratic reform in present-day Myanmar. The paper finds that: * a reformed civil bureaucracy will play a large part in, while simultaneously being contingent upon, the country?s unfolding political process * comprehensive change as a facilitator of both state transformation and a modern bureaucracy will work against the perceived interest of those who have long benefited from manipulating and exploiting their positions in the public services * Myanmar?s bureaucrats must be given a new set of rules to replace the old ones, and be availed a set of ethics and values to govern their role, attitude, perception, and behaviour if this process of bureaucratic re-organisation is to be successful The paper concludes by noting that perhaps the central guiding tenet should be that the greatest possible extent that control of the civil bureaucracy should rest with the public and officials who are representative of that public. Whereas this may sound implausible today when the control mindset is still strong and national politics not quite sorted out, it is not inconceivable at some future point..."