Many of the sources of trouble in current politics is due to the prevalence of notions only imperfectly understood and applied hastily in garbled forms to justify partisan interests.

The following is an excerpt from an article published in the Indian Libertarian Magazine by M A Venkata Rao in November 1960.

“The pen is mightier than the sword. This adage is being illustrated in several spheres of life today in the world and particularly in our country. The idea of the sovereignty of the people as the basis and justification of democracy, in particular, is being enacted in politics before our very eyes.

Many of the sources of trouble in current politics is due to the prevalence of notions only imperfectly understood and applied hastily in garbled forms to justify partisan interests. This is an age of propaganda. Half-truths with an aura of authority derived from some popular leader or author, Hitler or Nietzche. Nehru or Gandhi are riding rough-shod over our lives creating havoc and seem to be well-nigh uncontrollable. . . “

Access the full document here. (page 4)

First Published in the Indian Libertarian in November 1960.

Other editions of the publication can be accessed at Indian Liberals, an open, multilingual digital archive committed to preserving liberal voices in the Indian public sphere.