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Quote by Pankaj Mishra

“So much of democracy is built on antagonism. It institutionalizes a certain kind of antagonism. This is not to say that we shouldn't have any democracy, but the fact is that democracy has hardened political identities and made them more violent.”

Quote by Pankaj Mishra

Author

Pankaj Mishra is an Indian-born British essayist and historian, recognized for his insightful and critical essays on history, politics, and culture. Born in 1969, he has gained attention for his exploration of the complexities of modernity and its effects on the world. more

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“Once you empower people and say,' Here you are, now you get to dream the great dream of becoming a full citizen with equal rights and radical improvement in your living situation,' you are creating an illusion which will break one day.”

People Dream Situation Break Rights Becoming Citizens One Day Equal Creating Illusion Improvement Radical Empowering Equal Rights

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“To think that land reform is going to somehow automatically create an equitable system, I think that's just wrong. It's a very technical view of the world.”

Thinking World Views Land Reform Equitable

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“In America, you don't even have proper holidays. It's really one of the most prosperous slave societies in history. People work their asses off all year long and get two weeks off! It's incredible.”

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“We are always boosting or trying to prop up the ego by fulfilling some desire or other, and always craving affirmation from the outside.”

Trying Desire Ego Fulfilling Affirmation Craving Props

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“There was great political uncertainty in South Asia at the time of the Buddha. The older small tribal societies were cracking up and gave way to bigger states. There was much more trade and travel going on than before. To people in the cities the experience of living in a small place where you knew everyone and governed your affairs by consensual democracy had been lost.”

People Way States Political Lost Cities Democracy Bigger Trade South Affair Uncertainty Asia Great Political South Asia Small Places Cracking Up

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“There is this idea of history as something you make, as a meaningful narrative with a beginning and an end, the end being a utopia of happiness that we'll reach through socialism or free trade or democracy, and then it will all be wonderful.”

Ideas Ends Democracy Wonderful Trade Meaningful Socialism Narrative Utopia Free Trade

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“The idea that human beings can make history, that is something quite unique to the modern West.”

Humans Ideas Human Beings Modern Unique West

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“Western conception of history has had great consequences over the last two hundred years. You see it in the invasion of Iraq. You see it in almost everything that is said and done.”

Years Said Two Done Lasts Hundred Consequence Western Iraq Conception Invasion Said And Done

Author:Pankaj Mishra

“I myself, at one time, wanted to be like the explorers of the Himalayas that I used to read about; people intoxicated on the myth of history.”

People Wanted Used Myth One Time Explorers Intoxicated Himalayas

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“Most writers have very little that's important or valuable to offer; most of them are just repeating each other.”

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Author:Pankaj Mishra