What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Why Myths Become Facts

Context: Professional historians are not to blame for WhatsApp history in India. Disregard for scholarship is.

 

Introduction: WhatsApp history refers to the circulation of historical knowledge about the past and conversations around it — often distorted on social media. This includes YouTube videos, Instagram reels, threads on X (previously Twitter), and similar forms of content circulating via WhatsApp masquerading as historical knowledge.

 

Characteristics of WhatsApp History

• It relies on unverified sources.
• Constructs alternative narratives that resonate with certain ideological or cultural biases.
• Appeals to a broader audience through its ease of consumption and emotional allure.

 

Contributions of Indian Historians

• Engagement Beyond Academics
  1. Have written school and competitive examination textbooks.
  2. Played a key role in shaping history curricula.
  3. Written for regional and national newspapers.
  4. Appeared as expert witnesses in courtrooms and influenced policy decisions.
• Public Intellectuals
  1. Authored popular history books aimed at general audiences.
  2. Trained generations of students in critical thinking and historical analysis.

 

Challenges Faced by Indian Historians

• Struggle to counter WhatsApp history due to:
  1. Limited reach in comparison to viral social media content.
  2. The broader socio-political context undermining truth and education.
• Accused of working in ivory towers.

 

Factors Behind the Rise of WhatsApp History

• Erosion of Learning Culture
  1. Decline in the value placed on academic learning.
  2. Destruction of universities as spaces of inquiry and intellectual growth.
• Social Context
  1. Proliferation of "alternative truths" and scepticism towards established knowledge.
  2. A preference for simplified, myth-like narratives over rigorous historical accounts.
• Global Crisis in History Education
  1. Diminishing research funding and low enrolment in history courses worldwide.
  2. Reduced public recognition of the importance of meticulous research in history.

 

Myth Busting and Beyond

• Limitations of Surface-Level Responses
  1. Activities like fact-checking and myth-busting, while important, are insufficient to address the deeper issues.
  2. History communication on social media should complement, not replace, history education.
• Necessity for In-Depth Engagement
  1. Professional historians must continue engaging with-
     • Colonial Epistemology: Address foundational biases in historical disciplines shaped by colonial perspectives.
     • Originary Myths: Challenge narratives that present myths as natural, lived histories.
  2. Examples of ongoing work include Ruby Lal's biography of Gulbadan Begum.

 

Conclusion

In a world where myths masquerade as facts, the Indian professional historian cannot only make history content for social media. Historical knowledge thrives on time-consuming and meticulous research that more often informs popular history books. It is for the benefit of popular history that professional historians must continue their painstaking work.

Editorial 2 : Delhi must look beyond H-1B

Context: Upcoming Trump Presidency.

 

Introduction: The Indian debate on Donald Trump’s second White House term must look beyond the H-1B controversy raging in America. Broader implications of Trump’s technology policies are arguably more significant for India than exporting technical talent.

 

H-1B Visas and US Immigration Policy

• Indian Concerns
  1. The H-1B visa system remains a critical issue for India, given its significance in exporting tech talent.
  2. Trump’s stance aligns with skilled immigration to sustain America's tech edge but opposes illegal immigration.
• Key Observations
  1. Persistent Support for Skilled Immigration: Despite anti-immigrant sentiment, the US tech industry continues to rely on foreign talent, especially from India.
  2. Need for Reform: Both American political factions agree on reforming the immigration system to balance skilled immigration and illegal entry prevention.
  3. India’s Role: Cooperation is essential in preventing illegal immigration while advocating for merit-based, legal immigration.

 

Trump’s Domestic Technology Policies

• Polarisation in Tech
  1. Conservatives, including Trump supporters, accuse major platforms like Facebook and Twitter of liberal bias.
  2. Under Trump, platforms may shift towards a conservative bias, mirroring changes initiated by Elon Musk with X (formerly Twitter).
• Western Liberal Hegemony: Growing opposition to liberal ideologies in tech may reshape ideological battles across democracies globally.
• Rise of Techno-Libertarianism
  1. Philosophy: Advocates dismantling bureaucratic oversight and unleashing innovation.
  2. Key Players: Influential figures like Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Peter Thiel support reducing government interference in emerging technologies.
  3. Policy Changes: Likely rollback of Biden’s AI regulation policies emphasizing ethics and accountability. The focus is on innovation over safety concerns.

 

Geopolitical Implications of Trump’s Tech Policies

• Intensified Competition with China
  1. US-China Relations
     • Trump’s first term marked a shift from cooperation to confrontation with China.
     • Biden continued this trajectory with technology sanctions and reshoring initiatives.
  2. Trump’s Strategy
     • Emphasis on aggressive development of military AI and autonomous weapons.
     • Possible disregard for ethical concerns and multilateral arms-control agreements.
  3. Constraints on Engagement: Despite Trump’s interest in a grand bargain with Xi Jinping, structural contradictions between the US and China make reconciliation difficult.
• Technology Leadership
  1. Reshoring and Friendshoring
     • Continued focus on reducing dependency on Chinese tech supply chains.
     • Strengthened technological alliances with India and other allies.
  2. Potential Strategic Shifts: Trump may balance competitive policies with personal diplomacy, but systemic challenges will limit sweeping changes.

 

India’s Role in Trump’s Tech Strategy

• Significance of Indian Talent: Integral to America’s innovation ecosystem, contributing to rapid technological development.
• Strategic Collaboration: Advanced technological cooperation with India likely to remain a priority.
  1. Minilateral frameworks, such as the Quad, may enhance tech partnerships.
• Diplomatic Challenges: India must navigate its strategic interests while aligning with Trump’s evolving tech policies.

 

Way Forward

 

Conclusion

The current turning point in the history of technological development, America’s enduring capacity for rapid innovation, and Trump’s political will and capacity to promote global change could reshape the international system’s social, economic and geopolitical dynamics. India’s diplomacy will have a key role in finding common ground between India’s strategic interests and Trump’s tech policy in the next four years.