New Delhi: May 21, 2008
There is a historical precedent of socialists legislating a “Right to Work”.
This took place in France, after the Revolution of 1848.
The politics of that epoch are briefly chronicled in Detmar Doering’s excellent biography of Frederic Bastiat, who had been elected to the National Assembly then.
What did the socialists actually do when they implemented the “Right to Work”?
This is what Doering has to say:
“Among the things that went wrong, was the establishment of state-run “national workshops” to enforce the “right to work”. These never really served their purpose, nor were they probably intended to do so. Rather they allowed the socialists to organize support “on the streets” to threaten all dissenting voices with violence.”
Try and think about it in the Indian context.
Local politicians and babus are going about telling poor village people that the government will employ them for money.
Will this happen apolitically?
Or will they recruit their own supporters – and pay them with government monopoly money?
Thus, the naivete of the mainstream press on the NREGA is amazing.
I hope this historical precedent will enlighten them.
Power politics is a dirty game – and socialists play it dirtiest of all.
There is a historical precedent of socialists legislating a “Right to Work”.
This took place in France, after the Revolution of 1848.
The politics of that epoch are briefly chronicled in Detmar Doering’s excellent biography of Frederic Bastiat, who had been elected to the National Assembly then.
What did the socialists actually do when they implemented the “Right to Work”?
This is what Doering has to say:
“Among the things that went wrong, was the establishment of state-run “national workshops” to enforce the “right to work”. These never really served their purpose, nor were they probably intended to do so. Rather they allowed the socialists to organize support “on the streets” to threaten all dissenting voices with violence.”
Try and think about it in the Indian context.
Local politicians and babus are going about telling poor village people that the government will employ them for money.
Will this happen apolitically?
Or will they recruit their own supporters – and pay them with government monopoly money?
Thus, the naivete of the mainstream press on the NREGA is amazing.
I hope this historical precedent will enlighten them.
Power politics is a dirty game – and socialists play it dirtiest of all.
Read my old article The Realpolitik of India's New Deal. Unfortunately, the web page omits mention of the author, but the article is mine - one of the best I have ever written. Enjoy the read.
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