I have now been in the US for a few weeks, watching the verbal gymnastics going on here. In India, the Leftists keep telling us about the horrors of “majoritarianism”. Incidentally, given my limited understanding of Left-related terms, I have never understood what ‘majoritarianism’ means. I have always assumed that the will of the majority prevails—that is what was considered acceptable in Periclean Athens. Citizens—which admittedly did not include all persons—were expected to prevail. But apparently, in contemporary India, this is not such a good idea according to Leftists who monopolise our academia and are strong on social media. In their opinion, it’s the minority they represent that should prevail.
It’s quite different in the US. The favourite word of Leftists here is “minoritarinism”. Apparently, it is important that the majority view should take precedence. Established constitutional safeguards like two senators per state, irrespective of their population levels, are bad. Apparently, the “electoral college” mechanism, which was consciously established some 200 years ago, is not woke enough by current standards. Apparently, the hundred-year filibuster tradition is just too minoritarian to pass muster. Apparently, the Supreme Court needs more judges—of course, of the woke persuasion.
Oppose Leftists? You are bad
Today, in the US, the Leftists think they are in a majority. Therefore, minority views and rights are a nuisance. And the minority views of the “deplorables” — those on the other end of the ideological spectrum — whether on abortion, immigration or guns are to be hounded not just in mainstream media, but even on tax-payer funded outlets like the NPR and the PBS.
I have now understood the nature of the discourse. If you are against Leftists, then you are bad. It is as simple as that. In India, you will be accused of ‘majoritarianism’. In the US, you will be accused of ‘minoritarianism’. Leftists are correct. The rest are stupid, even rancid deplorables.
I believe it is important for us deplorables to push back. To hark back to the Christian roots of the American polity and social fabric is not a minoritarian delusion. To emphasise the Hindu roots of India’s civilisational continuity is not a majoritarian excess. Both of these beliefs are grounded in reality. Those of us who are committed to empirical realism have to stand up and reject the ‘woke’, Left-driven dogmas of the supercilious even if they have multiple PhDs from Left-leaning schools.
Also read: ‘Left not fully consistent, coherent about democracy’, says Kavita Krishnan after CPI(M-L) exit
Leftists are wrong, simple
As I kept ruminating in my non-woke conservative moments, I stumbled on something that is simple, elegant and utterly lucid. We have to assume that the Leftists are wrong—invariably wrong, insufferably wrong. In fact, every teacher can and should convey to all students the simple message: if you are opposed to Leftists, you are almost certainly correct. And beware of bogus expressions like “majoritarian” and “minoritarian”. Fashions come and go. Truth prevails, not just on account of its virtuous grounding, but because falsehood—irrespective of its attractive vocabulary—will sooner or later lose its moorings.
Lefties in the US do not want to admit that their hero, Dr Anthony Fauci may have funded research activities in China that may have been a problem apropos of Covid. They do not want to admit that American lockdown operations helped big businesses and harmed small entrepreneurs. They do not want to admit that voters (citizens) in many states may not approve of easy abortions. They do not want to admit that ordinary Americans are uncomfortable with excessive immigration. But Leftists do not care for ordinary Americans. They care for what is politically correct in their own bubble world.
Leftists in India do not want to admit that Muslim responses are not governed by wickedness on the part of Hindu parties, but are a result of transnational Muslim ideological and identity concerns. It is so much easier to accuse majoritarian Hindus of demonising Muslims. As if Muslim extremists have no agency of their own. As if brainwashing/arm-twisting young women to wear a regressive costume represents freedom and not slavery. Leftists in India must realise that attacking successful Indian businesspersons weakens the country and is the exact opposite of Japanese and Korean traditions of supporting the Zaibatsu and the Chaebols. But then, Indian Leftists probably want India’s businesses to be weak. Again, the similarity is striking. Leftists do not care for ordinary Indians. They, like their American counterparts, seek validation from a Scandinavian schoolgirl.
Visiting the US was both helpful and depressing for me. Helpful in so far as understanding that everywhere Leftists use words like majoritarian/minoritarian to suit their immediate needs. Depressing in so far as noting that Leftists have a disproportionate influence in the civic square. Conservatives like me are stranded in a bad world dominated by foolish Leftists.
Jaithirth Rao is a retired businessperson who lives in Mumbai. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)