Stop finding similarities between Modi and Trump, There are None
- In Politics
- 03:31 AM, Nov 28, 2016
- Sunanda Vashisht
When Narendra Modi won power with a decisive mandate in 2014, the most favorite pastime of op ed columnists was to find a historical parallel for him. Since no one knew how he will run India, these crutches were important for ‘opedists’ because it helped them ‘evaluate’ a man who would tell them nothing and whose team would leak nothing. Many of you must remember these essays and columns where one week Modi was compared to Ronald Reagan and another week he was compared to Lee Kuan Yew. Closer home he was compared to everybody from Gandhi, Patel, Indira to Ambedkar. It was hard for these ‘know all’ commentators to understand that Modi has a strong sense of history and he could be none of these or all of these. Two and half years since, Modi has carved his own path. No body compares him to Reagan or Thatcher anymore thankfully and now of course he has been around long enough for people to judge him based on his actions.
This was till Donald J Trump in a shock verdict became the Grinch who stole the Christmas. In an election where Trump’s opponent had been given a 91% chance of winning, Trump literally snatched the victory from the jaws of media, pollsters, democrats and republicans. Now that Trump has come from no political space to capture the most important political space on the planet, Opedists are again faced with same dilemma like they faced with Modi. How do they write essays after essays about him when there is nothing to base these opinions on yet? Trump has never been in politics before, has never held a job remotely close to his new job.
Indian commentators and commentators of Indian origin had it easier. They came up with some contrived comparison of Alpha Males - Modi and Trump- Voila! Here are two dozen columns ready to be churned out on the assembly line. This reminded me of an oped in The Hindu sometime in 2013 that had some crazy commentary about Swami Vivekananda’s famous pose and how it was a masculine pose and therefore revealing of how Indian nationalism encouraged a deeply masculine notion of modernity. Yes, you read that right. Generations of Indians who had grown up seeing Swami Vivekananda’s picture looking deeply pensive associated that with deep sense of purpose Swami lived his life with and not with some random masculinity and aggression. Unfortunately, fact free journalism and commentary is the order of the day.
The fact is that there is nothing common between Trump and Modi. Modi’s supporters who are desperately looking for parallels are being facetious to the point of being silly. Modi’s detractors who are desperately finding comparisons are being pamphleteers as usual and fanning an agenda across Liberal circles from New Delhi to New York. To understand Modi and Trump phenomenon it is important to understand what is happening in World’s oldest and largest democracy now.
When India voted for Modi they knew him well. He had been the three-time Chief Minister of Gujarat and before that a BJP party official, heavily inspired by RSS ideology since he had risen the ranks via RSS. Modi was influenced by RSS’s Spartan and austere life style. Having left home at a very early age, Modi devoted himself initially to spiritual pursuits and then chose to serve the nation by becoming officially involved in politics. Modi has shown flexibility in various policy matters but when it comes to broader world view he has firmly been rooted in BJP- RSS ideology. India First, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, self-sustainability and deep faith in India’s civilizational stature have been hallmark of his governance. One can choose to agree or disagree with his Pakistan policy, his radical Demonetization scheme, his various programs starting from Jan Dhan Yojana to Start up India, but overall Modi has been what everyone had thought he would be. A strong Prime Minister who runs an efficient ship without any fear or favor.
Trump is a wild card. He entered the electoral fray as a wild card. The media indulged him initially because Trump got them TRP’S. A flamboyant businessman and a Reality show star, Trump knew what works on TV. Like his hugely popular show ‘The Apprentice’, Trump delivered one-liners and kept the interest of media firmly invested in him. A Manhattan Jet Setter, Trump is neither a conservative nor Liberal. He is simply pragmatic. He refuses to bear the weight of ideology and Republicans and Democrats are equally frustrated and shocked and awed by him. Trump was born to luxury and has inherited much of the business he has built over years. He ran the campaign supposedly as a Right Winger but by all accounts, is socially Liberal. With no experience in government before this, no one knows what Trump will bring to the table. He has sent confusing signs, there is no template he seems to be adhering to. Much to the chagrin of Left Wingers, he has not displayed any more aggression other than desire to win Presidency. If by male aggression Liberals mean he will start Wars, Obama despite his Nobel Peace Prize, ended none and only helped spark a couple more conflicts in Middle East and did not dismantle Guantanamo Bay. Trump has surrounded himself with Alt Right, Far Right, Center Right, his own family members (nepotism laws anyone?) and it remains to be seen how he will position himself during his Presidency.
Modi on the other hand has always kept a safe distance from his family. Not even his worst critics can accuse him of any nepotism or personal corruption. Modi is given to some flamboyance but certainly not the Trump Variety. The Alpha Male, super aggressive, war monger tag often given to Trump (out of ignorance, no one knows how he will govern) certainly does not fit Modi. Modi has shown he can show restraint when he wants, is very calculated in the risks he takes. If he gambles big like he did in Demonetization scheme he knows he can sell it to the poorest man in the country and get his support.
This brings us to the tag of divisive leaders. Is Trump who won elections because White Working class voted for him any more divisive that Obama who was voted in by 93% of Black Voters? Is Modi any more divisive than Sonia? The fact is in a democracy all leaders contest elections by wooing the voter constituency that is favorable to them. It is how they govern once they are voted in. Modi has done nothing during his two and half years that he can be accused of favoring one group. Nobody knows what Trump will do in office. Going by his acceptance speech after winning elections, it is only fair that he is given a fair chance as he has won the election fair and square.
There is nothing in common between Modi and Trump. However Trump can certainly look at the leader of largest democracy to get inspiration on how to rule fairly, gain public support and popularity and without making Nationalism a despicable four letter word.
Comments