The dilemma of the liberal

Summary

In this 1979 commentary, M. R. Masani presents liberalism with a political dilemma: in a country with limited political awareness and weak democratic habits, should liberals withdraw from public life or participate in political manoeuvres that may compromise their principles? He recalls his own involvement in the Janata Party after the Emergency and argues that liberals cannot simply remain at home, leaving public affairs to authoritarian or statist forces. The challenge is to defend individual freedom while working within imperfect democratic institutions.

Masani criticises the concentration of political and economic power in New Delhi, the spread of controls and statism, and the resulting corruption and inefficiency. He calls for a government limited to its proper functions rather than an expansive bureaucracy, and points to Nani Palkhivala’s idea of a “U-turn” away from nationalisation and excessive state control. The article closes by asking whether liberals can recover their convictions, courage, and readiness to work for them. The second rendered page is an unrelated United Commercial Bank advertisement.

Key points

• Masani describes the liberal’s dilemma as the tension between maintaining principles and entering practical political life.
• He recounts joining Jayaprakash Narayan’s Janata Party during the Emergency and later becoming doubtful about whether liberal participation could solve the country’s problems.
• He argues that liberals should not retreat from public affairs, even when political conditions are discouraging.
• The article condemns statism, excessive controls, and the concentration of political and economic power in New Delhi.
• Masani advocates a government confined to its proper functions rather than an oversized bureaucratic administration.
• He invokes Nani Palkhivala’s call for a “U-turn” from nationalisation and other statist policies.
• The concluding appeal is for liberals to regain conviction, courage, discipline, and willingness to work for constitutional democratic values.