One way ahead for Congress is to reinvent itself as a Jeffersonian center-right party
Calling for greater states rights...
Pro individual liberty
Anti eminent-domain
Promoting localisms
Contrast to the Hamiltonian Modi - who will push for a strong state, tariffs, modernization
Calling for greater states rights...
Pro individual liberty
Anti eminent-domain
Promoting localisms
Contrast to the Hamiltonian Modi - who will push for a strong state, tariffs, modernization
Today American conservatives claim both Hamilton and Jefferson!
But back in the 1790s both these darlings of the modern Right were arch-enemies who hated each other's politics
But back in the 1790s both these darlings of the modern Right were arch-enemies who hated each other's politics
Hamilton was the cultural conservative, the elitist, the monarchist. Partial to high finance
Jefferson was the radical sceptic of religion and traditional institutions. More of a populist
But also a conservative in other ways. Big on agriculture, states rights, small govt
Jefferson was the radical sceptic of religion and traditional institutions. More of a populist
But also a conservative in other ways. Big on agriculture, states rights, small govt
The Congress party if it is clever enough can turn into a conservative party with a small "c" pushing for a decentralized polity
Championing regional causes. E.g. Sabarimala, Jalli Kattu etc
While BJP pushes for greater sanskritization and homogenization in religion
Championing regional causes. E.g. Sabarimala, Jalli Kattu etc
While BJP pushes for greater sanskritization and homogenization in religion
Demonetization is typical Modi.
Ambitious, large scale, pushing for formalization in the economy. Anti-Cash
Congress can oppose it with a Jeffersonian lens. Defending informality, old ways of doing business, diversity
Ambitious, large scale, pushing for formalization in the economy. Anti-Cash
Congress can oppose it with a Jeffersonian lens. Defending informality, old ways of doing business, diversity
This kind of a political polarity has been observed in US in a number of eras, though not so much in the 20th cen
Hamilton vs Jefferson
Whigs vs Democrats (Jacksonians) in the 1820s-30s
McKinley's Republicans vs William Jennings Bryan's Democrats in the 1890s
Hamilton vs Jefferson
Whigs vs Democrats (Jacksonians) in the 1820s-30s
McKinley's Republicans vs William Jennings Bryan's Democrats in the 1890s
In fact even in the ancient world, this kind of a political division between the Elites / Establishmentarians and the Populists has been observed
The Optimates vs Populares in the last century or so of the Roman Republic
The Optimates vs Populares in the last century or so of the Roman Republic
