tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post1747600679294848377..comments2016-08-24T04:22:09.542-07:00Comments on Grey Matter: Gujarat: ‘But people want him’Vanyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11516938133737228360noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-45264251964027894232012-12-18T09:12:26.826-08:002012-12-18T09:12:26.826-08:00I'm not saying the Congress is a good option. ...I'm not saying the Congress is a good option. And im certainly not saying that the democratic vote should be discounted. Its a choice between bad options in Gujarat, in my opinion. <br /><br />I am skeptical about attributing Gujarat's economic 'success' only to Modi - Gujarat has more or less always done well economically because of its merchant ethos/culture. Moreover, the nature of development under Modi is also questionable. Is it really inclusive?<br /><br />Anyway thats besides the point of my article. i've often heard that "you can't say anything because the people THEMSELVES want him" - my argument is against that particular line of argument. Anyway, Economic success and development cannot ever be an excuse to trump values of freedom and equality and justice. If Hitler or Sadam Hussein trumped such values, but achieved a GDP of 13% GDP for their country, it still doesn't excuse their ideology/policies, in my view. Economics isn't everything, what about rule of law? justice? healthcare? education? malnutrition? freedom of expression and press? and yes, secularism. the question of 'he is just better for them' depends on how he fares on all these aspects also. That's just my opinion.Vanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11516938133737228360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-51421450060634689262012-12-18T07:35:32.869-08:002012-12-18T07:35:32.869-08:00In the end, the only alternative solution would be...In the end, the only alternative solution would be to counter the democratic vote and institute a pro-Congress alternative. <br /><br />In such cases, as much as it challenges India's democracy and secular values, one must take a step back from our deeply ingrained liberal values and look at the undeniable bigger picture - that Gujarat has flourished under his political rule and that he is a master facilitator for business. <br /><br />Based on Congress track record with the nation, the overall per-capita income of Gujarat would not have increased (in fact, would have probably reduced) under the Congress. <br /><br />Basically, it boils down to a purely economic argument to counter the one of values and secularism - He's just better for them.DoomMelonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-64830521735494080082012-02-27T02:10:34.985-08:002012-02-27T02:10:34.985-08:00A bias is usually something which is a belief/opin...A bias is usually something which is a belief/opinion not backed by a good argument. But Ive tried to give arguments for the opinion I hold. One cannot dismiss it as bias unless you point out holes in the argument. :) Glad you enjoyed reading it though!Vanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11516938133737228360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-85506743081860660162012-01-24T06:43:27.995-08:002012-01-24T06:43:27.995-08:00Great correlation between various worldly events. ...Great correlation between various worldly events. <br /><br /><br />But, the blog is very biased, it might also be true that i'm on the other side.<br /><br />Anyways,loved reading it.Alagirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141481811940151239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-38544652703283915192011-12-12T21:56:58.821-08:002011-12-12T21:56:58.821-08:00I guess, I added my comment for this post to the p...I guess, I added my comment for this post to the previous one by mistake.<br /><br />Anyhow just wanted to point out one thing that I noticed here.<br /><br />Not really in tandem with the post, but the source you mentioned after the post caught my attention, because of this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMSinyx_Ab0Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-65479121542060677072011-10-07T00:14:01.625-07:002011-10-07T00:14:01.625-07:00hello, Cyberswami! i see what you mean. but first ...hello, Cyberswami! i see what you mean. but first we must ensure non-discrimination, then equality of opportunity - only then can we even look at whether equality of outcomes is being achieved. also, one has to define equality of outcomes, otherwise theres a danger of being too idealistic also, na?Vanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11516938133737228360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484188395508703899.post-88030002380198216232011-10-06T06:11:28.435-07:002011-10-06T06:11:28.435-07:00Good point. I like the 'necessary but not suff...Good point. I like the 'necessary but not sufficient' bit. After all, Hitler too received a landslide electoral verdict in 1933. <br /><br />However, if you use equality as your criterion, pause to consider the truism that you may provide equality of opportunities, but you cannot ensure equality of outcomes. This is not directly relevant to what you have written, but I hope you see its implications.Cyberswamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09391421609494073457noreply@blogger.com