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interview

Shekhar Gupta on Why Liberalism Should Matter to You

2020

Summary

In this short clip promoting the Centre for Civil Society's course on liberalism in India, journalist and author Shekhar Gupta argues that liberalism should not be seen narrowly as just an ideology but as the bedrock of politics, which in turn underpins democracy fuelled by elections. He contends that these elements are linked, so that much of what happens in people's lives is decided by politicians and those who win elections, whether in government or opposition.

On this basis he urges viewers to take the course, suggesting that understanding how this political system works, and being able to engage with it, requires grappling with the underlying issues that liberalism raises. He expresses the hope that the course will improve viewers' understanding of these questions.

Key points

  • Shekhar Gupta argues liberalism should not be viewed narrowly as just an ideology.
  • He describes liberalism as the bedrock of politics.
  • Politics, in his framing, is the bedrock of democracy.
  • Elections are the fuel for democracy, linking these elements together.
  • Much of what happens in people's lives is decided by politicians and those who win elections.
  • Understanding and engaging with the political system requires understanding these underlying issues.
  • He hopes the course will improve viewers' understanding of liberalism in India.

Transcript

Shekhar Gupta on Why Liberalism Should Matter to You

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jk86OCfXmY Duration: 51.8s

Speaker 1 (00:00): Why should you be taking a course in Liberalism in India? Because don’t look at Liberalism as just Liberalism. Liberalism is the bedrock of politics. Politics is the bedrock further for democracy.

Speaker 2 (00:22): The fuel for democracy is elections.

Speaker 1 (00:26): four things are linked everything that happens in our lives is decided by politicians or people who win elections people in the government also sit in the opposition so to understand that system for you to give that system it is very important that you understand many of these issues i do think and hope that this course will help you improve your understanding.

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