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India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

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Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#11

Post by throwanem »

Judging by this article and others, "alt-right" seems to be turning into another way of saying "politics I don't like and wish weren't taken seriously" - not that it ever referred to any particularly coherent movement in the first place, but those in the media can't seem to further dilute the label quickly enough, and even those who formerly adopted it seem to be starting to move away.

As for the actual subject matter, I don't know enough about India's domestic politics to comment - it's about all I can do most days to keep up with those of my own nation. But, as general bromides go, I think one might do worse than the suggestion that labeling any political change or strain one finds unsatisfactory as "fascist" does neither oneself nor anyone else any good - it increases blood pressure and strains credibility.

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#12

Post by pavanky »

I am not too sure about the points made in the article.

I take a bit of comfort in the fact that India is diverse beyond imagination (languages, religion, caste, states, political leanings, geography etc). Trying to impose any single point of view on such chaos is practically impossible.

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#13

Post by pavanky »

throwanem wrote: post #11

Judging by this article and others, "alt-right" seems to be turning into another way of saying "politics I don't like and wish weren't taken seriously" - not that it ever referred to any particularly coherent movement in the first place, but those in the media can't seem to further dilute the label quickly enough, and even those who formerly adopted it seem to be starting to move away. As for the actual subject matte…

India has always been a superstitious country. Taking the scientific stance in politics is an exception to the norm instead of the norm.

That said, the current party is in power rules only 7 states directly and another 5 indirectly (through their allies). For reference, India has 30 states.

Any unpopular, drastic change from this government is going to be met with a lot of resistance.

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#14

Post by gaius »

cstross wrote: post #4
magentaexists wrote: post #3

This is total bull. Just because the us and the UK are screwing themselves over, doesn't mean that the rest of the world is too. BJP is inspired by Nazis and fascists... Do some research first. Jeez !

You missed the just-aborted far right coup in Montenegro, or the way France is looking to see a run-off presidential election between a hard-right candidate and Marine Le Pen (who is a court-certified fascist -- as in, she sued an opponent who called her a fascist for libel and the court found that she was, indeed, a fascist )? Or the rise of the AfD in Germany? Golden Dawn in Greece? Vladimir Putin's adherence to th…

Fascist is the most overused word of recent years. The original fascists in Italy were WW1 veterans who had read Marx and observed that being put in a uniform and militarized erased distinction between classes, and sought to replicate that at a societal level to end class conflict. The patriotism, the strong hierarchical government, the diversion of industry towards armaments production, were all parts of this, but they weren't the end in and of itself. And the Italian fascists didn't really have any sort of racial agenda. They worshipped technology, industrial progress, youth, futurist artists, and so on.

People called Farage a fascist, but there was very little overlap if any at all between what he believes and advocates, and what fascists do. Farage doesn't want a strong government, it's questionable if he wants any sort of functioning government at all, he's closer to an anarchist than a fascist. Same with Trump, he doesn't believe what fascists believe or want what fascists want. Now a lot of people don't like them, and fair enough - but if words are to mean anything at all let's retire "fascist" as a general purpose pejorative for any badman...

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#15

Post by kranner »

> This could easily be mistaken for one of Hinduism’s most cited and profound tenets: Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshou kada chana, which translates to “You have the right to act but do not expect the fruits of your action.” What Eco implies is the lack of reflection before acting and a “distrust of the intellectual world.”

This is a bit of a red herring. The way that verse is explained is not "doing for the sake of doing" but "doing GOOD for the sake of doing GOOD". In no way does it imply not choosing the right action before performing it. It is about not getting attached to a particular expected outcome.

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#16

Post by Latty »

amriksohata wrote: post #7

What a load of bollocks this is exactly why the right has triumphed in America and Europe, the dumbass left continue their pursuit of identity politics which will wipe them out.

I've seen this a lot recently. 'identity politics' is an odd thing to accuse the left of. While the right continually fights to disadvantage groups of people (or keep them disadvantaged), they claim the left is focusing too much on those groups when they fight back.

I'm sure that if they had not been trying to hard to paint slaves not as people, but as chattel, the slave owners in the past would have called abolition 'identity politics' too - why focus so much on one group?!

The reality is the progress from the left benefits us all. These are never policies that specifically benefit one group, they just end up benefiting groups more because they are so disadvantaged right now.

Again, it feels like another way in which the right seems to believe that freedom and rights for others come at their expense.

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#17

Post by flawedluck »

Modi isn't inspired by Nazis, neither is he an anti-Muslim. The author is just making a big deal of small things and quoting things out of context.

"Protesting students?- Anti-nationalist". Yeah except the student was protesting against the hanging of a cruel terrorist. "Appeal to social frustration" - makes no sense. India is special in this case in no way. "Craves heroic death" - We do make a big deal when someone dies doing a heroic action. This is fascism?

The whole article is just pointless rant. I think Modi is one of the most smart and active Prime Ministers that India has had and I'm in no way a supporter of BJP (his political party)

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#18

Post by realrocker »

I am not sure about this. India has never been good at conforming to a particular point of view. Aurangzeb tried it. Indira tried it. I read an article about traffic of a country implying how lawful it is. And just before reading this, I almost got knocked down by a big car jumping a red light while on a bike(In Bangalore too. We call ourselves civilized here). So whenever I get worried, we are falling into absolutism, I then recall how chaotic our streets and roads are. It's kind of a strength-is-weakness thing with India. You can't enforce a law here, but also can't impose a fascist state. I guess we are just destined to be the average guy of the world. Like the Big Lebowski, we only want our own patch of carpet, everyone else can go fuck themselves. Hail Tribalism :/

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#19

Post by pksadiq »

flawedluck wrote: post #17

Modi isn't inspired by Nazis, neither is he an anti-Muslim. The author is just making a big deal of small things and quoting things out of context. "Protesting students?- Anti-nationalist". Yeah except the student was protesting against the hanging of a cruel terrorist. "Appeal to social frustration" - makes no sense. India is special in this case in no way. "Craves heroic death" - We do make a big deal when someone…

> neither is he an anti-Muslim.

[citation needed] (considering his involvement in Gujrat riots and Babari Masjid issues.).

Re: India is displaying classic signs that foreshadow fascism

#20

Post by abhigupta »

vamsi360 wrote: post #8

Is there any fact behind saying that Modi is inspired by Nazis?

Yes, there is some vague things people associated with Modi's organization said back in 1940s related to Nazis. Though, nothing since 1940s ... but logic isn't a strong suit of leftist arguments.
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