POLITICAL

Diplomatic Maturity vs. Credit Poaching on the Global Stage The recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan has once again brought into focus the delicate game of global perception, and how leaders position themselves before domestic and international audiences. On Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to claim credit, rushing to announce victory like a glory hungry contend...

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered a statement loaded with strategic signaling. He accused the United States & the United Kingdom of playing a very negative role, charging them with promoting terrorism through Pakistan and hobnobbing with terrorists for three decades. Through this broadside, Islamabad signaled a sharp pivot: retaliat...

From ancient Greece to modern-day politics, the fate of governments follows a cycle that philosophers have long recognized. Aristotle described a cyclical theory of political change—later termed Anacyclosis by Polybius—in which forms of government follow a recurring sequence of rise, decline, and replacement. Montesquieu, writing centuries later, warned that extreme equality could erode institutio...

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump began his second term. He has since issued over 50 directives that have already begun reshaping economic, ethical, and social landscapes. As we analyze these directives, it is important to understand their consequences through historical parallels and philosophical perspectives. To that end, I draw on the insights of David Ricardo and Alexis de Tocquevil...

Let us attempt to answer this question by looking at how the three determinants of socio-political existence, Wealth, Power and Status are configured today and how these could motivate individuals and groups to vote in 2024. Wealth: For the last 3,000 years of recorded history the world has swung between concentration of wealth and dispersion of wealth. Capitalism concentrates wealth due...

Before the likes of Modi and Kejriwal came on the scene, it was felt that in Indian politics the meek will continue to inherit the world. The genuflectors will be crowned. Note how those in the prime-ministerial fray bowed to the powers that be. Except Rajiv Gandhi who came on a sympathy wave, every prime ministerial aspirant stooped to ascend. Indira Gandhi too was known as the Goongi Gudia (mute...

The Medici business family of Italy rose to prominence in the 14th and 15th century. They were well known for their banking prowess and are also credited for funding the renaissance in Italy through their patronage of art and philosophy. But the Medician patronage of the arts was not random. It was thoughtful and targeted. Medici wanted to use art to advance the society. Several philosop...

Machiavelli said, “the ruler’s virtuous actions can also bring harm”. He cites the example of Pertinax, the Roman emperor who after taking over from his predecessor Commodus, mandated his soldiers to live an honest and Spartan life. These soldiers were accustomed to living licentiously under Commodus. They started hating Pertinax for withdrawing their privileges and he was overthrown and assassina...

Why did Narendra Modi allegedly allow horse-trading overtures in Karnataka though he swears to uproot corruption from public life? Which is part of a bigger question: Why don’t political leaders keep their promises? This phenomenon is best enunciated by Machiavelli in his seminal work Discourses on Livy, where he compares how the dilettante politician recognises the impracticality of the pro...

The last I wrote of my expectations from the PM was for his Independence Day speech. Some of the wishes I put forth must have been on his agenda as well, as I see some spur on these. Thought I must come up with the next set of asks from my PM on 69th Republic Day of India. So, for his consideration, here is my take on the top five areas he could focus on: 1. Avoid drastic interventions in Bu...