Yangon, Myanmar: The re-invention of heritage

The Military Junta, which was formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and is now the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and the Burmese army, the Tatmadaw, have dominated Burmese politics since their seizure of power in 1988. Economic reforms were instituted soon after that, transforming the economy from one organized along socialist principles and dominated by the state sector to one that was market-orientated. Economic reforms were primarily aimed at promoting Burma's integration into the global economy, signalling a shift from the former position of self-imposed isolation from the rest of the world that had led to Burma's designation as the 'hermit' state.