Hafta letters: Relevance of democracy, Afghanistan war, Pegasus snooping

Hi team,

This question is on the discussion about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. As fuel reserves deplete, I would like to ask whether Afghanistan is still relevant to world powers and if the US withdrawal has arisen out of this reality. Moreover, would like to recommend Guardian's Full Story podcast on "Afghans left behind in Australia’s longest war" to know more about the aftermaths of the war.

Keep doing the courageous work.

Kumud Shankar

***

This is regarding Abhinandan’s comment on whether Indians believe in democracy or not. The question shouldn't have been if Indians believe in democracy or not but if the world cares about it anymore.

If you look at democracy's history, it's always had an adversary since its inception. And in a very quick history lesson, first it was the monarchies, then it was colonialism, then communalism, and then religious fundamentalism that kind of gave citizens of the world a reason to unite under the broad umbrella of democracy. These periods also shaped the idea of today's leaders: to be tough, to take decisions that might not sit well with everyone but still needed to be taken to preserve democracy, among other things.

Since Abhinandan brought up the example of the US, look at any leader from Truman to Trump, every US president has had their "wars" that they either created or prolonged to remain relevant and in power. The only exception in that list would be Jimmy Carter.

Now that democracy doesn't have a threatening nemesis to unite people, we have turned to nationalism, which is very similar to the time post WW1. Which is what leaders like Modi, Bolsonaro, Trump, Duterte, etc have been excusing themselves to create totalitarianism. Which brings us to the next question: who will be the next threat to democracy to make it relevant and respected again, and how bad?

Great job, you all! God bless!

Pruthul

***

Hi Team NL,

Regarding Hafta 340, it was disappointing to find the panel almost dismissing Mamata Banerjee and Pinarayi Vijayan as a credible opposition face. I urge you to hammer in the idea of holding local MPs accountable and not think about the PM's 56-inch chest. Then comes the ideology of the party as to whether it's an absolute antithesis of the constitution or not.

As for democracy, I guess most people still think of it as "majority rule". But democracy's whole job is to ensure that minorities and historically discriminated sections have equal rights and representation and a fair chance to voice their opinion.

On this note, please read this New Yorker review piece, "The case against democracy". I am aghast to see my Savarna, "educated", "liberal" friends complaining about "too much democracy" from time to time. On the point on "communism" vs "capitalism", why not reinvent good old "socialism" first?

On the idea of the nation, Anand's view was refreshing.

Lastly, at the cost of spending my precious word limits, I must thank Sharval for the fantastic recommendations and cheers to Raman for his incredible taste in movies. Why doesn't he join A&A sometime?

Best,

Sudarshana

***

Hello NL team,

I have been listening to your coverage of the Pegasus scandal and the grudging denial of the government to discuss this in parliament. If I have understood anything from Hafta and the cheatsheet, then this is the Watergate scandal of our time. The outcome today should be nothing short of the removal of Richard Nixon, who was considered the most powerful man on earth, in 1972.

Yet today, as a country, we are inert and indifferent. Shouldn’t the opposition be bringing down the whole house? Why isn’t anyone furious that the government can snoop in whenever they want? Am I overthinking this?

Coincidentally, I watched Frost/Nixon this week and can only reinstate that courageous and factual journalism can deliver justice against the cockiest politicians which even courts cannot . Stay strong and carry on the good work. You are not just a news outlet, you are the opposition today.

Thanks,

Satwik

***

Hi NL Hafta team,

I subscribed after you gave out the Pegasus episode for free and I realised what I had been missing. Love you all, you're doing important work.

My only suggestion is the Hafta can talk not only about things that have happened, but can also have discussions about possible futures as well, as country-altering events don’t happen in flashy one-line TV headlines, but flow slowly only to be realised after it's complete.

For instance, I would love to hear a discussion on the history of coalition politics, as I find it very worrying that parties like the AAP (which demands Delhi statehood) or BSP (which I assumed would understand the hearts of the oppressed), who have voted FOR the J&K split in the two houses, will have to be accommodated in the alliance.

This would be helpful for younger people like me who started following politics in 2014.

Thanks for everything you do.

Rajesh