I have been keen on certain books before. I don’t think you love books if you don’t have a couple of them that you’re obsessed with! But, never before have I found a book that made me squeal for my lack of observance, sigh at how obviously we are missing the point in this country, and check my privilege and confirmation bias.
‘Day of Democracy‘, somehow sounds like a celebratory day for something we have achieved. Yet, how far we are from the truth! Which democracy can you effectively talk about this day? There are two types of democracy known in our country now. Don’t get me wrong, neither is perfect. But the difference is the same as petty theft and dacoity. One is humble when caught and questioned, and one remains proud of the mess he has made. Six years, and we have been living in the jungle raj of abandoned terror. Free, ruthless and dangerous for anyone who doesn’t align.
The politics of today is no longer the graceful ‘debate culture’ of democracy. The demagogues are no longer playing along the usual lines of castes, jobs, or clean water. Today, they are creating soldiers. And no democracy can survive the advent of soldiers who rely on themselves to protect religion or identity which, in reality, needs no saving. We don’t need causeless soldiers out of ordinary citizens. The hierarchical structure of our said “democracy” looks up to a larger than life man who will protect them. But when did “democracy” become a concept of one man?
However, back to the book. To write the shortest blurb for How Fascism Works, this masterpiece by Jason Stanley, would be to say that there exists a difference (not decisive on how large or small) in the concept of fascist politics and a fascist state. A lot of work goes into creating the latter, but it always begins with the former.
I will sit out this day of democracy out. It takes too much to celebrate what doesn’t exist.