Freedom of speech and expression is the indispensable foundation of a society of free individuals. Civilization cannot long survive without it any more than it can survive without food. As Rowan Atkinson so eloquently argued in his defense of free… Read More ›
Freedom
Sardar Patel, Power, Persuasion and Statue
The Sardar Patel statue, also called “The Statue of Unity” which is to be unveiled tomorrow Oct 31st, is the biggest statue in the world at 182 meters tall. Built at the cost of Rs 3000 crores, it must be… Read More ›
Censorship on the Internet
Freedom of speech, expression, and the press is a distinctive mark of civilization. It distinguishes — and indicates the degree of civilization achieved among — the nations of the world. Nations that valued the Enlightenment traditions of the likes of… Read More ›
The Road to Tyranny
Slowly raising the temperature allows a frog submerged in water to get accustomed to its ever-worsening condition until it gets cooked to death. So goes folk wisdom regarding how to cook a frog. Though a pointless exercise, it does serve… Read More ›
Freedom is an acquired taste
I am convinced that freedom is an acquired taste, somewhat like dietary preferences. People brought up in a vegetarian households are likely to prefer vegetarian food. People brought up free tend to prefer freedom and those brought up under command… Read More ›
India and Foreign Direct Investment
The economic growth of any economy depends on how much is invested in creating productive assets in it. Factories, buildings, ports, the transportation network, natural resource extraction, manpower training, the use of modern methods of manufacturing, energy production and distribution… Read More ›
Speaking of Freedom of Speech
“If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led like sheep to the slaughter.” –George Washington The importance of the freedom of speech is underestimated by most people. George Washington stressed the instrumental… Read More ›
Quote: Liberty and Government
“Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. It is not for… Read More ›
An ad from 1947: “The Uphill Task Ahead”
My friend Veer shared this advertisement from 1947. After 68 years, Indians are still fighting a war on poverty and it is still an “Uphill Task Ahead.” Very little has changed since 1947 in the economic environment, and what little… Read More ›
The most dangerous man to any government
The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost invariably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under… Read More ›