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Two Nations, One Struggle: The Divergence of India and Burma Post-Independence

 India vs Burma: Nation-Building in the Post-Independence Era India and Burma (now Myanmar) both gained independence within a year of each other, with India in 1947 and Burma in 1948. Both nations were under British colonial rule, with diverse populations and significant regional divisions. Both also faced separatist insurgencies in their early years of independence. Yet, despite these similar starting points, India managed to build a relatively stable and unified national identity, while Burma has struggled with unity and stability. Why is this the case? The answer lies in the different approaches taken by the leadership of both nations during the crucial post-independence years. While India’s leaders succeeded in creating a unified nation, Burma’s leadership faltered, and the country has faced ongoing internal conflict and instability. This blog will explore the contrasting paths taken by India and Burma in nation-building, highlighting the significance of leadership, decision-ma...
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Liberation or Subjugation? Revisiting Netaji's Strategy with Japan

 We already know that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose took help from Japanese forces in his fight to oust the British Raj from India. This demonstrates his unwavering dedication to freeing India from colonial rule. The intention of this blog is not to question Netaji's patriotism or commitment but to critically examine whether his alliance with the Japanese Empire was a strategically sound decision. While it is impossible to know for certain what Japan would have done to India had it successfully captured Delhi and ousted the British, we can make a hypothesis by analyzing Japan's behavior in other occupied regions, including areas of British India such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and compare it with cases like Burma. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Japan successfully ousted the British and, in theory, handed over administration to the INA (Indian National Army). However, in practice, it was the Japanese forces that controlled the islands. During their occupation, Japan c...
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The Interaction Between Cognitive Dissonance and Marx's False Consciousness in Capitalism

 There is a concept in psychology called "cognitive dissonance", which refers to the discomfort people feel when their beliefs or views conflict with each other. To resolve this discomfort, individuals adjust their thoughts or actions to align with one view, reducing the inconsistency. Now, consider the issue of "inequality" in capitalism. Capitalism promises prosperity and success, yet it often results in high levels of inequality. The system thrives on inequality, where those with wealth, privilege, and connections are more likely to succeed. We are taught in schools and colleges that "equality" is necessary for prosperity, and that there should be equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of financial background. However, in a capitalist system, those with better financial resources, background, and networks are usually ahead in the race.  If you understand ''cognitive dissonance'', you can see how this inequality created by capitalism ...
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The Problems You secretly Face May Not Be all Your Fault, But the System You’re Born Into

 Look around, and you’ll find sadness and suffering everywhere. Happiness, true and enduring happiness, is a rare thing on this planet. The sources of this collective suffering are not hidden; they are in plain sight. Mental health crises, environmental degradation, extreme economic inequality, and an unrelenting culture of competition—all of these are visible to anyone willing to see. Yet, despite the glaring reality of these issues, we are conditioned to overlook them through the constant propaganda of mass media and advertising. These systems distract us from the root cause of our suffering—the ills of capitalism. At its core, capitalism is a system that relentlessly chases profit at the expense of human well-being and the planet's future. In its pursuit of profit, capitalism commodifies human attention—a resource once considered personal and invaluable. Through social media platforms, our time and focus are sold to the highest bidder. Companies exploit our emotions, playing on ...
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WHO IS ACTUALLY REVISIONIST HERE?

 The Sino-Soviet split occurred after Nikita Khrushchev's de-Stalinization program, during which Mao accused Khrushchev of "revisionism." However, there are points I find puzzling: 1. When Mao accused Khrushchev of revisionism, was he referring to deviation from Marxism-Leninism or Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism? After all, Stalin himself introduced significant changes to Marxism-Leninism. 2. If Khrushchev did make changes to Soviet ideology, why was this such a big issue? Marxism is, after all, a dynamic and evolving theory. Ironically, Mao himself introduced numerous changes to Marxism, such as the emphasis on peasant revolution in China, so why did he cry "revisionism" in this case? 3. Isn't it hypocritical of Mao to accuse Khrushchev of "revisionism" during the Sino-Soviet split, yet later pursue rapprochement with the USA and even shake hands with Nixon? Wouldn’t such actions—aligning with a capitalist superpower—also qualify as revisionism? 4. On...
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CONTRADICTIONS IN THEORY AND APPLICATION OF MARXISM ( PART 5 )

                                                        A NEW CLASS UNDER MARXISM?   In his writings, Marx consistently emphasized the need to gradually diminish class differences between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat during the socialist phase as a necessary step toward achieving a communist society. However, decades later, when the USSR and other Marxist-Leninist states were founded on the principles of Marxism-Leninism, these states often deviated from this vision. Instead of working to eliminate class distinctions, they created a new privileged class: the bureaucratic government elite. In the name of Marxism and the state, this elite controlled every means of production while remaining disconnected from the everyday struggles of ordinary people. They led lives of privilege, far removed from the harsh realities faced by the common popu...
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CONTRADICTIONS IN THEORY AND APPLICATION OF MARXISM (PART 4)

                                                    STALINISM, MAOISM AS OPIUM OF MASSES   One of Marx's famous quotes is "Religion is the opium of the masses." In this context, "opium of the masses" refers to the things that distract or numb common people, preventing them from fully understanding their suffering and oppression. Decades later, figures like Stalin and Mao created their own cults of personality, turning Stalinism and Maoism into ideologies that attained the status of a monotheistic religion, based on Marxist theory. In traditional monotheistic religions, there is typically one infallible figure—someone whose word is unquestionable, who cannot make mistakes, and whose authority is absolute. In Stalinism and Maoism, Stalin and Mao themselves became such figures. Their words and actions were seen as final, and any dissent was ruthlessly ...
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