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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Absolutely different and refreshing
The fearless writing style of the author shines throughout this book. She says it as is due. This book is so different a story from main stream media that it can easily be called a conspiracy theory of its own. However the reader knows that it is not true. The conviction of the writer and the truthfulness of it all will make one pause and think. That is all the author wants of us... Think!
The fearless writing style of the author shines throughout this book. She says it as is due. This book is so different a story from main stream media that it can easily be called a conspiracy theory of its own. However the reader knows that it is not true. The conviction of the writer and the truthfulness of it all will make one pause and think. That is all the author wants of us... Think!
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
“They (the 1%) say that we don’t have demands . . . they don’t know, perhaps, that our anger alone would be enough to destroy them. But here are some things—a few “pre-revolutionary” thoughts I had—for us to think about together. We want to put a lid on this system that manufactures inequality. We want to put a cap on the unfettered accumulation of wealth and property by individuals as well as corporations. As cap-ists and lid-ites, we demand: One: An end to cross-ownership in businesses. For example: weapons manufacturers cannot own TV stations, mining corporations cannot run newspapers, business houses cannot fund universities, drug companies cannot control public health funds. Two: Natural resources and essential infrastructure—water supply, electricity, health, and education—cannot be privatized. Three: Everybody must have the right to shelter, education, and health care. Four: The children of the rich cannot inherit their parents’ wealth. “This struggle has reawakened our imagination. Somewhere along the way, Capitalism reduced the idea of justice to mean just “human rights,” and the idea of dreaming of equality became blasphemous. We are not fighting to tinker with reforming a system that needs to be replaced. As a cap-ist and a lid-ite, I salute your struggle. Salaam and Zindabad.”
- Capitalism : A ghost story by Arundhati Roy
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Arundhati Roy doesn’t hold back in her book, offering sharp and clear arguments supported by strong evidence. While some readers might wish the book were longer, it still delivers a powerful critique of how nationalism, corporate power, and government policies in India work together in ways that harm ordinary people. One of the book’s main ideas is how the Indian government uses the idea of nationalism to justify actions like taking land, extracting resources, and militarizing areas—all to support corporate and capitalist interests. Roy explores how the Indian state, once envisioned as a protector of citizens, has become a facilitator of corporate interests. She highlights the transition from public welfare to privatization, which is central to her critique of "development" projects like the Narmada Valley Development Project that displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Roy points out that many of India's development projects, such as dams, mines, and factories, have involved the large-scale displacement of indigenous (Adivasi) communities, prioritizing economic growth over the well-being and rights of marginalized groups. Roy also explains how Hindu nationalism has deepened divisions in Indian society, distracting people from bigger issues like poverty, corruption, and displacement. She argues that when people are focused on religious or nationalist pride, it becomes easier for corporations and the government to exploit workers, farmers, and indigenous groups. The book provides an overview of how corporate entities, such as Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, have undermined democracy and perpetuated inequality. Roy highlights how India's liberalization in the 1990s led to rapid economic growth, but also concentrated wealth and resources in the hands of a few powerful corporations. Roy also discussed about the role of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and foundations like the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in maintaining this system. She claims they often take funding from corporations or governments, which compromises their goals. Instead of driving real change, NGOs sometimes act as a way to calm protests and prevent grassroots movements from gaining strength. Roy calls this idea of “ benevolent capitalism” a clever trick to keep power in the hands of the few while controlling the masses. Overall, Arundhati Roy's book provides a powerful and insightful critique of the complex web of nationalism, corporate power, and the Indian government's development agenda. It highlights how these forces have exploited and oppressed marginalized communities, undermining democracy and perpetuating inequality. The book is an eye-opener about the dangers of unchecked capitalism. While it’s easy to feel powerless in such a system, Roy offers a small but inspiring hope that change is possible, even if it happens slowly, one step at a time.
Horrific depictions of what has been happening in Kashmir and the fallout of capitalism. Very interesting short book. Doesn’t address any of the psychological causes, the only advice is that people should be better and lays the blame at governments without even discussing human nature so is pretty typical in its failings to offer any real solutions.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
I read some other reviews that described this as a disappointing read, full of repetition of other works, but I think those reviewers may not be the target audience for this book. I am not as familiar with her writing, so this was a strong set of essays for me, and provide some good fodder for my own thinking about the exportation of our country's worst elements.
informative
slow-paced
"Indian nationalists and the government seem to believe that they can fortify their idea of a resurgent India with a combination of bullying and Boeing airplanes. But they don't understand the subversive strength of warm boiled eggs."
In a series of short essays, Roy critiques the state of India's government, all the way from their militaristic pursuits in Kashmir, to their rampant classism and Hindu nationalism, and their hegemony over conscience and political thought. No one can escape the wrath of her pen, for the United States are also called out on their imperialism and their interventionism whilst parroting as a star of "human rights". Roy writes with (rightful) anger and a passion for justice, and sprinkles her writing with witty remarks. She paints a horrifying image of the world, but also calls for resistance and hope. It reads like longform poetry, which I really enjoyed.
I think the book might be a bit too introductory for people well-read in India's affairs and economical/political thought. I'm a beginner in this topic, so I guess the book was perfect for me! But I understand why avant readers of Roy's work feel a little disappointed.
In a series of short essays, Roy critiques the state of India's government, all the way from their militaristic pursuits in Kashmir, to their rampant classism and Hindu nationalism, and their hegemony over conscience and political thought. No one can escape the wrath of her pen, for the United States are also called out on their imperialism and their interventionism whilst parroting as a star of "human rights". Roy writes with (rightful) anger and a passion for justice, and sprinkles her writing with witty remarks. She paints a horrifying image of the world, but also calls for resistance and hope. It reads like longform poetry, which I really enjoyed.
I think the book might be a bit too introductory for people well-read in India's affairs and economical/political thought. I'm a beginner in this topic, so I guess the book was perfect for me! But I understand why avant readers of Roy's work feel a little disappointed.
informative
fast-paced
emotional
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced