RE-FRAMING QUESTIONS

Among the many conversations arising from the “economic meltdown” and the “banking fiasco” was one that got my attention. It was around the question: ‘Has [neo] capitalism failed?” Pundits took clear views from "yes" to "no" and "not sure " with a note that capitalism is here to stay – as it will always find ways to morph into something else. Even a committed socialist amazingly conceded that socialism will be unable to provide an alternative system.

Contemplating on the foregoing and the way discourses and conversations have been going over the last month, I am struck by the fact that there is no sense of “repentance” or the ability for people in responsible position to express “regret” or say that they are “sorry”. Part of our dilemma is that we do not know who should be taking that responsibility. Should it be the phenomenally salaried CEO’s of the banking institutions? Should it be governments? Should it be the public for panicking with a loss of confidence? Perhaps, the inability for people to come forward may be related to the complexity of our economic lives that suggests, among other things, that we no longer know who is in control.

Yet, I wonder, how it would be possible to come out of this and not re-inscribe the very thing if there are no faces to the "sin" (to re-introduce a bad-word). Whatever fancy language or jargon we use to name sin in this context, it is still greed that assumes the garb of unregulated economics becoming gods accountable only to its own rules. This, I submit, must be sourced by human beings, not UFO’s.

In this regard religions and faiths have a tremendous role to play in putting “heart” back into our economic lives. Hence, one can appropriate the Psalmist: “Create in us clean hearts and right spirits, O Divine One.”

As I write from a Christian perspective, let me note for those who think (especially our pontificating pundits) that the Church is out of touch with this issue, I have some news for you: for quite some time, Churches (especially the World Council of Churches [WCC] and most of the historical Churches in the UK) have been speaking out, researching and writing on issues of the market, economy, economics and poverty. Their publications can fill quite a few bookshelves.

To use the title of a book the first General Secretary of the WCC, The Greatness & Wretchedness of the Church, churches in spite of all their weaknesses have been and are prophetic (their greatness). Unfortunately (fortunately some will say) church tends to end up in a no-win situation (same will be true of all religions and faiths). When they live and practice their prophetic ministry they are told to mind things “spiritual” and keep out of politics. And when it is perceived that they are silent, they are told off for their silence, hypocrisy and "pie in the sky in the great bye and bye" attitude.

To return morality, heart, and responsibility, and a spirit of repentant humility to our economic life, we need to rediscover our spiritual core and hence the critical and constructive role of faiths. The question, therefore, is not whether capitalism has failed: it is whether we can put back heart, soul and responsibility in our economic relationships. What shall it profit our generation and future ones if we gain the whole world and lose morality, conscience, heart, and soul?

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© copyright Jagessar October 20, 2008

Credit Disaster: Men Out of Control

Over the last few days, every corner one turns to, the talk is about the financial crisis. The people I meet are more concerned about the “few pennies” they have put away, their mortgage repayments, and job security, among the many thoughts on their minds. People are very worried. This is no longer a crisis. It is a disaster and the scale of things as they are being made public is mind-boggling. One is usually of the habit of associating such scandals (thanks to Western media) with corrupt governments in the majority world. What and how we now name this mind-boggling gambling of billions of pounds and dollars of people’s money would be interesting. And, who can blame people for a loss of confidence or faith!!!

Not even the joined up thinking and efforts of the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the central banks of Canada, Sweden and Switzerland of coordinating a half-point percent cut in interest rates offers stability. And try as much as the governments of China, Australia, India, Iceland, Mexico, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and others to cut interest rates, the downward spiral continues.

Lack of confidence means that “selling out is unstoppable” as “investors are gripped with fear”. Besides sounding like a horror film, I wonder who are the people doing the buying! Money, of course, is not what gives character and nerve to commitment. Morality is at the heart of commitment and this does not grow in banks. The reality is that we finally get to hear some honest sound-bites as market-gods are saying that their “monster baby” is out of control! Yet, habit is a terrible chain as now and again the layperson is given the impression as if there is this “monster” out there operating on its own!

Of course, we are not fools – the market is what we humans have created and nurtured over the years and where most of us have tied (or have had) our heartbeats to. And the fact is, our present financial predicament is a reflection of its human designers –mainly men- who are now unable to stop or control that wayward bull or bear on the rampage. Hence, one pundit is quite correct to note: “there is no domestic solution to a crisis like this one.”

And I am sure that our PM may be right to say that this disaster needs a "global solution" with bold and coordinated actions at “a restructuring of financial markets”. But this certainly has to be alongside putting human faces and hearts to our economic lives: and most importantly that this will not be a talk shop of the usual men's club. I submit that one of the reasons why we are here today is that our financial institutions are controlled and run predominantly by men - some operating like boys with new toys. If the market is out of control it is a reflection of men who are out of control.

© copyright Jagessar October 10, 2008

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An Archbishop and His Immigration Swipe

The former Archbishop of Canterbury has always struck me as your traditional, proper English clergyman who, come hell or high water , will serve as the knighted protector of a Great Britain of former glory and ideals that will give no agency to the contributions of the diversity of migrants who have contributed to Britain’s greatness. So while church folks and workers of civic organisations have been dismayed and surprised by his recent comments for stricter immigration control, I am not surprised. It is within the remit of Archbishops, active or retired, to pronounce and challenge. And while a few do a great job at challenging the moral conscience of nations, others merely try to regulate, control and protect the establishment.

There is very slender line between wanting to control theology and theological views and arguing for stricter control of migration to the UK. And the narrow nationalism that the former Holy Head works with is not far removed from the restricted theology which, like agent 007, will claim it is done on behalf of Queen (ironically of foreign blood), country and flag.

Why am I not surprised that the holy man, now Lord, failed to grapple with the complexity behind the political and economic factors that cause the radical shifts in the movement of peoples from most corners of the world? His theological views reflect such failure. In fact, should a Martian land in GB and peruse some of his writings, he, she or it would be hard put to discern where the writer was located. Or, put differently, that Martian will form a monochrome view of the context from which these words were uttered, in spite of the diversity of the Communion. Moreover, to read of his critique that the church has been too positive and welcoming of immigrants is most startling. What version of the Bible is he reading?

For here is a former Archbishop limiting hospitality when it gets too costly! This is not to say how unchristian the whole thought is. I wonder what the millions of African Anglicans will have to say to their brother in Christ. How come that this icon, who used to speak on behalf of world Anglicans, has suddenly become so nationalistic in retirement? While Bonhoeffer will call this cheap grace, I would label it pure hypocrisy.

Besides, can the former Archbishop not see how his comments will fuel the fire of the far-right voices? I also wonder if a tighter control gets into place what will happen to Britain’s need for mobile motivated workers to do the kind of jobs to keep people like Lords and Bishops living a comfortable, holy and retired life. I also wonder what will happen to British universities if all those foreign students we are milking money and insights from, decide to stay home or go to other universities. If we are to go with a recent report of UK Universities that since 2001 the income of universities has grown more than 50% with the bulk coming from foreign students – then their withdrawal will spell disaster for British universities. This is not to mention the thousands of foreigners who visit the CofE to keep some of the church buildings open, the pews from getting musky with the damp of the English weather, and adding spice/colour to dirge-like liturgies.

Besides reflecting an irresponsible use of very complex statistics, the former Archbishop comments suggest a lop-sided theology that lacks clarity. And coming from such a highly placed former churchman, retired or not, one would think that moral responsibility would still be something worth taking a stand for.

© copyright Jagessar October 6, 2008

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