What India teaches us about liberalism — and its decline
Jul 8, 2024
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Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a leading scholar on Indian democracy, shares insights into the complexities of Indian liberalism. He discusses how authoritarian tendencies under Prime Minister Modi are reshaping democracy in India. Voter attitudes are shifting as recent elections expose discontent with autocratic rule. The conversation also highlights the historical roots of liberalism in India, the rise of Hindutva nationalism, and the challenges liberals face in addressing economic inequalities and fulfilling promises.
The rise of authoritarianism globally threatens the liberal world order, visible in India's political shifts towards autocracy.
Indian liberalism is deeply rooted in historical struggles against societal power dynamics and caste-based inequalities.
By persisting in the race and attacking Trump, Nikki Haley indicates she is not running for the vice presidency and is focused on capturing support beyond South Carolina.
Deep dives
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Challenges to Liberalism: Threats Within Its Historic Boundaries
While liberalism emerged victorious over competing ideologies like monarchy, fascism, and communism in the 19th and 20th centuries, it faces internal challenges in the modern political landscape. Politicians in countries like the United States, Hungary, and India are contesting liberalism's foundation. Particularly, India grapples with a political shift undermining liberal principles. The Indian government's actions risk transforming the nation into an authoritarian state, highlighting the crisis of liberalism in non-Western contexts.
Defining Liberalism: The Core Principles and Philosophical Underpinnings
Liberalism embodies a set of moral and philosophical principles emphasizing individual freedom and autonomy. The purpose of government in liberalism is to enable individuals to live according to their personal values and choices, advocating for democracy and individual rights. The philosophy extends beyond mere political structure to a moral stance valuing the justification for any imposed authority. The debate on the universality of liberal principles often stems from the core premise of justifying authority to individuals.
Indian Liberalism: Historical Foundations and Modern Challenges
Indian liberalism is shaped by a historical narrative intertwining with British colonialism, Mughal Empire interactions, and socio-political complexities. The Indian Constitution's framers grappled with societal power dynamics, aiming to curtail social oppression and caste-based inequalities. The Indian liberalism dilemma addresses dismantling social power structures within communities, aiming to emancipate individuals from oppressive norms and societal hierarchies. The recent electoral shifts reflect a nuanced battle between addressing historical injustices and the rise of ideologies challenging liberal values in Indian politics.
The road ahead for Haley
As Haley persists in the race, her reputation among different factions of the Republican Party will be impacted. She will face opposition from the pro-Trump faction as well as those who want to avoid damaging the party's chances in the 2028 election. How long Haley continues to fight and how far she can go will depend on her willingness to endure the potential consequences and her ability to capture support from regions beyond South Carolina.
Authoritarian tendencies have been on the rise globally and the liberal world order is on the decline. One hotspot of this tension lies in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi employs autocratic language and tactics to maintain power. But a recent election may indicate that voters are losing interest in this style of rule. Guest host Zack Beauchamp talks with scholar Pratap Bhanu Mehta about the past of the Indian liberal tradition and what the current politics of the world’s largest democracy say about the state of global politics.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: Pratap Bhanu Mehta
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