The Archbishop of Myanmar has warned that political change is happening so fast that his country could be swamped by consumerism and competition.
During a visit to the USPG offices in London, Archbishop Stephen Than Myint Oo said he welcomed change in his country ”“ but also urged caution.
He said: ”˜We want change, but it’s happening too fast. Many people are coming into the country ”“ business people in search of profits, tourists, and many others ”“ and restrictions are opening up. This will change the lifestyle of the Burmese people.
A wise warning. I was in Russia in the early ’90s as it was opened up to capitalism, but without the many protections and checks-and-balances which western societies had evolved over centuries.
Predictably, the ruling classes cemented their position at the top of the pile. Some benefit filtered down to the common people, but it hardly became an egalitarian and truly democratic society, and the ruling class largely retained the same un-earned privileges that they had held under communism.
If the Anglican Church is prepared to speak out about these issues, they will gain the respect of Burmese society at all levels, in the tumultuous times that may be coming.