“Trump intuited and revealed the worst traits of worried Americans — their search for scapegoats, their desire to prostrate themselves before an autocratic savior, their bigotry. If Trump governs as he has campaigned, America and the world face real and present danger.” Roger Cohen on Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States (New York Times, November 9) “There’s no Indian university among the world’s Top 100 institutions. We feel ashamed. I invite 10 public and 10 private universities to come forward and take a pledge to make a place for themselves in the Top 100.” Prime minister Narendra Modi at the centenary celebrations of the Karnataka Lingayat Education Society in Belagavi (November 13) “Demonetisation in a booming economy is like shooting at the tyres of a racing car.” Jean Drèze, development economist, on the BJP/NDA government’s demonetization of Rs.1,000 and Rs.500 notes (The Economic Times, November 22) “When people have to queue up to withdraw their own money, on which limits are placed, it is an attack on property rights that is more out of the Communist handbook than any right-wing philosophy. Indeed, Burkean conservatives and Hayekian libertarians alike would be aghast at Modi’s actions, as he propels India towards the Soviet Union so admired by Nehru, with its state oppression, artificial shortages and infamous queues. But Chairman Mao would approve.” Amit Verma, columnist, on prime minister Narendra Modi’s demonetization initiative to fight black money (Times of India, November 22) “The America of Mr. Trump and the UK of Nigel Farage and Theresa May are but the Western mirror images of Mr. Modi’s India. Let liberals in all these nations henceforth be unsurprised by what is sure to follow, yet remain watchful, steadfast and courageous.” Narayan Lakshman on the growing phenomenon of hyper-nationalism in countries worldwide (The Hindu, November 30)
