A blog from 16th September 2013, reproduced here, (with name *)
M* (anti-) intellectual Icon?
Socialist Ideology
Since the ascendance of Shri Jawharlal Nehru, our intellectual
discourse has been dominated by various versions and adaptations of
Socialist ideology. The high priests ('Brahmins') of this ideology are
the "left intellectuals" who dominate the public debate. Many of us
thought that the 1990s reforms, their success in accelerating growth and
the consequent reduction of poverty would gradually change the
discourse. This optimism was premature, as the "left intellectuals"
successfully fought back and re-established their primacy during the UPA
regime (I & II). The "socialist ideology" is so pernicious because
it crowns the "left ideologues" as the arbiters of public morality (the
prosecutor, judge & jury). Their narrative is so widely believed,
that if you oppose the left you risk being typed as uncaring of the
poor, the weak and the humble! Thus even 'conservative' or so called
'right wing' political parties have internalized the "left intellectual"
narrative. This uniformity of intellectual and political narrative is
not good for the country. The Monopoly needs to be broken.
Competition
A recent book on the role of institutions in economic welfare and
growth
concluded that "Competitive Politics" are as important as "Competitive
markets" for sustained economic development and growth. This is
particularly
so in an Open Democratic country like India. India needs an alternative
narrative of economic growth and welfare, that politically challenges
the monopoly of the "left intellectuals." Though it is dangerous for a
poor country to simply copy what advanced countries have done, the
interplay of competitive markets and social policy in Scandinavian
countries is instructive, provided we clearly understand the difference
in institutional conditions and circumstances.
Iconic Challenger
From my perspective, the most interesting thing about the rise of
Shri M* on the National Stage, is the challenge that he
poses to the "Socialist ideologues." The seriousness of the challenge
that he poses, can be gauged by the minute dissection of his
every statement and action and the virulence of the "left intellectuals"
attack on everything that he has said and done. Being from a poor
family, a backward caste, an uneducated child who educated himself as an
adult, a self made man, free of the corrupting influence of family
rapacity, who has never used his humble background or caste to win votes
(though he has used his religion). More than any other potential
candidate for PM a man of the people. A Chief minister of one of the
richest and faster growing States in India, who has been re-elected
three times. A non-intellectual, virtually an anti-hero in intellectual
context.
In sum, M* is almost an iconic challenger to the "left intellectuals" and their ideological dominance of the political discourse. The question is whether this non-intellectual will be the leader who overthrow the monopoly of the "left intellectuals" and create a new "governance and growth," "right of center" national narrative to compete with the "socialist ideology"?
In sum, M* is almost an iconic challenger to the "left intellectuals" and their ideological dominance of the political discourse. The question is whether this non-intellectual will be the leader who overthrow the monopoly of the "left intellectuals" and create a new "governance and growth," "right of center" national narrative to compete with the "socialist ideology"?
Conclusion
From the very limited information available till now (opinion polls,
media stories of writers' interaction with public) I conclude that Shri
M* has a better than even chance of becoming the next Prime Minister
of India and of changing the political narrative of National welfare,
governance and growth. What else he may do (good or bad) needs much
more detailed analysis.