The Argumentative Amartya?

Godot,

What if in case of famine, a democracy enacts a Patriot Act and limits the food supply to a minority e.g. Blacks or Quadianis, would it be the expression of “aggregation of individual values into collective decisions,”. I think that is what FV`s beef is with Sen`s theory. It seems that Sen`s ideas are as politically charged and propaganda oriented as VS Naipauls.

Re: # 48


Urstruly

“Majority rule” leading to the elimination of poverty and famine does not hold true if one looks at China or the pre-democracy South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. It’s the ruling elites’ vision and policies, not necessarily “majority rule,” that determine the outcome of how its subjects live.

Nobel, as I said before, is just a political tool. Many agree to it and this prize commands no respect outside perhaps for the natural sciences. Watch for Salman Rushdie joining Naipaul!

I think you are correct about Farzana’s issue with the possibility of cruelty of the majority towards the minorities in a “majority rule” scenario.

Khamkhwa,

Dullabatthi and I are the other sikhs on chowk.

Godot, Urstruly

Ultimately, people make any system work or not work. But Professor Sen (like many other theorists) suggests comparisons only between different systems of governance. So democracy`s potential problems could only be set off against the potential problems of other systems.

#35 by godot

[aaah! Here’s a sight one doesn’t witness often. An idol-worshipper and an ignorant, fanatical mullah befriending each other, laughing with each other instead of at each other. It’s true! Need makes strange bed-fellows!

If you weren`t the ass that you are, it wouldn`t be too surprising for you. In fact, some of my best friends are Muslim, and you know what, one of them is a Hafeez (I don`t know what exactly it means, except that it is used for someone who has memorized the Quran).

Re: #45 by BrainsGalore

Having managed to fool highly educated people all over the world for decades, Amartya Sen has finally come up short against the formidably erudite ``anti-establishment`` FarzanaIdiot with her incomparably strong grasp of Economics and socio-Economics.

Here`s the REAL reason for her ire:

First, the denial :

[Others have talked about a ``Muslim woman`` writing on an Indian - this reveals a mindset that i have no truck with. I have not discussed his `Hindu` leanings not only because he has none, but it would be of no interest to me.]

Next, the REAL reason for her disapproval:

[2. The exotification of (Indian - read Hindu) roots from a distance. ]

farzana -- use of the word `facetious` was simply a take on your title for this piece -- as for `not having arguments` that would be an incorrect reading of my response -- there are, in my view, many cogent arguments to counter what you have said and i suppose i could be held guilty on not wanting to list or discuss them here

also -- being a writer myself i save most of my arguments for my own articles which are usually not published on chowk -- hope that explains my lack of arguments here --

Re: # 52

harish

``some of my best friends are Muslim, and you know what, one of them is a Hafeez``

Congratulations!

Btw, happy bedding with an ignorant, fanatical mullah at Chowk...it`s just a one-night stand, though...that is, until Farzana shows up with her danda the next time!

Go on, you two celebrate the beautiful night together...

Godot #49

.....I think you are correct about Farzana’s issue with the possibility of cruelty of the majority towards the minorities in a “majority rule” scenario.....

You are right. Look at A L L Muslim nations in the world. However, there is not much minority left in there so you can test these situations. And almost all of them without democracy...

Does it surprise you why it does not happen in other parts of the world where minorities can live fine. I am a moinority in the US and was a minority in India. Never faced anything out of ordinary. Do you think these thoughts (oppression by majority in non muslim regions ONLY) are typically Islam-related?

Re: # 56

khare

“why it does not happen in other parts of the world where minorities can live fine... Do you think oppression by majority in non muslim regions ONLY are typically Islam-related?”

Germany >Turks (democracy)
Germany > Jews (democracy)
Japan > South Koreans (democracy)
India > Christians, Muslims and assorted others (democracy)
Fiji > Indians (democracy?)
Malaysia > Chinese (democracy)
Yugoslavia > Muslims (democracy)
Africa > Various (doesn’t matter)

“I am a moinority in the US and was a minority in India. Never faced anything out of ordinary.”

That’s very individual and personally exceptional. I’m sure many expatriates at Chowk, including me, at individual level have not faced trauma vis-a-vis the majority. However, it’s the group of people (minority group) that’s being addressed; it’s the group that’s the target, not individuals.

#55 by godot

[Go on, you two celebrate the beautiful night together...]

Looks like you`re suffering from the Jaundice syndrome. Just because you have Jaudnice doesn`t mean the world is yellow and just because you are gay doesn`t mean every man is trying to bed another.

BTW, I think you have a secret crush on kaka and you`re upset that someone else has liked his post. It alright beta, jealousy does that to lovers, but its just a post and nothing more. He`s all yours, if that`s what you want.

One shouldn`t let any hypothetical ``ideal`` or ``the best`` become the enemy of the reasonably good. People who fall into the habit of letting that happen, become depressed, socially or intellectually paralyzed, or instinctively anti-social. Sometimes they even become dangerous.

#57
Dear Godot

The example you have given are exceptions and not the rules. And most of the countries you have mentioned and have done so much after those incidents to rectify themselves. More over that could only happen becuse they chose democracy.

For example countries like Pakistan who can only justfy their existence by hate of things Hindu, whether it is theie ancestory or language or culture or any thing.

Islam has not helped them either. Their hate of their ancestot and bigotry of present day Wahabi Islam has only helped them to create one book zombies like Urstruly, Tahmat and of late you are also showing the signs of great Muslim scholor.

All the best to you.

Re: # 60

arstoo

``Wahabi Islam has only helped them to create one book zombies like Urstruly, Tahmat``

Then how do you explain Modis, Thakarays, and assorted other Hindus at Chowk?


Re: # 58

harish

``He`s all yours``

He actually despises me and hates my guts. But he loves the dhoti-clad...without their dhotis, that is.

#61 by godot

`` Then how do you explain Modis, Thakarays, and assorted other Hindus at Chowk? ``

Reaction.

Hell, today`s bombing of delhi`s markets is enough to turn a non-brahmin, backward caste, no-interest-in-religion person like me in to a raging hater.

FYI, this may come as a news to many.... i can tell with my personal interactions that many in my relatives and in my caste ( biradari ) harbor feelings similar to Modis and thakarays towards muslims. I am just stating a fact.

u do the action and create the reaction gujju, u fool no one, just as the reichstag fire fooled no one, nor did the moscow bombings before Putins elections.