The Murky State Practice on Recognition of Governments and the National Unity Government in Myanmar

Abstract

Many times, when there are competing claims to power legitimate states are not consistent in their recognition of the competing governments. Ostensibly, many states do not recognize governments, and in contentious cases, leave the determination of which competing foreign governments have a legitimate claim to represent the state open. However, in practice, such abandonment of recognition of governments is not always maintained. This article argues that there are cogent reasons for states to continue to recognize governments. Specifically, in the case of a democratically elected government overthrown by a coup d’état, such as what happened in Myanmar in February 2021, the practice of not recognizing governments coming to power by the use of brute force is desirable.

Keywords: Myanmar, recognition, recognition of governments, government in exile, national unity government