Re: more violations of cultural relativism

[Srinath S <srinaths@usa.net>]

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vamsi@siliconcorp.com wrote:

Really!?  I don't know of any other institution, be it religion or a cult,
that
taxes so much and delivers so little than our own Government.  I can't think
of
another institution that would tell an individual exactly what he can
produce,
export, import, etc. in such a self-serving manner.

Last but certainly not the least, I can't think of another institution that
has so
successfully monopolized power at the center!!  I argue that this
concentration of
power has naturally led to abuse of it which resulted in widespread
oppression?
Hence I conclude/deduce that the Government in its present form (as was left
by
the British) is the strongest force of oppression in the country.

>>>>>>

I'm afraid I'll have to completely disagree here. Not with respect to the
point that the government needs reforms. It sure does. There are a number of
monopolistic policies followed by the government which certainly need reforms.


But my difference is with the point that no other institution in India is as
oppressive as the government. An oppressive, monopolistic government is
something where elections are made by lip service, people are taught to spy on
one another (as it was done in the former communist East Europe), where the
show is run by a single person, where the person/party in power refuses to
step down even after it is evident that they have no support from the people,
etc. Not a government which can fall down because of one vote. Not a
government where there can be a string of elections almost one per year and
the country still carries on with business as usual.

Here is a small thought experiment. Pick a person, any person, in random, whom
you would consider "oppressed." What is the probability that s/he is oppressed
by export/import laws or other monopolistic laws of the government. It is more
likely that this person is a victim of caste based oppression, domestic
violence, religious fundamentalism, clan rivalry or something of that sort. In
fact, all these different forces are so varied and different in their
influences, it is appalling that no comprehensive analyses are ever seen
exchanged over forums like this that show how diversity affects the Indian
system.

Best,
Srinath





Ideas for India: Building the future -- together
http://www.ideasforindia.net/

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