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Useful articles and Editorials- UPSC CSE Mains

Hi! So, I start this thread in the hope that we could all contribute links to interesting articles that we come across in the course of our preparation. Since we already have a factoids for prelims thread, this is opened by me in the hope that articles from the mains perspective will be contributed. Since we would all be reading articles also from our optionals point of view, it is likely that we could all benefit from articles from non-conventional sources as well. Let us build!
Neyawn,Deepak802and23 otherslike this
18.3k views

40 comments

https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/the-logic-behind-indias-new-investment-policy/

Whether India's new FDI policy can be challenged. 

Mettle,
10.4k views

https://mayday.leftword.com/blog/post/marxism-leninism-and-the-bourgeois-judiciary/

EMS Namboodiripad's understanding of Marxian teachings.- (G)old

8.8k views

https://thewire.in/women/rupan-deol-bajaj-kps-gill-case-me-too

Evidence of systemic discrimination against women in India - The Rupan Bajaj Case

Reticent,
8.9k views

https://theleaflet.in/are-we-condemned-to-repeat-history/

Article by Nauroz Seervai on our judiciary going to the dogs. Again. 

8.8k views

 https://blogs.worldbank.org/sustainablecities/six-reasons-why-demography-matters-during-pandemic

6 reasons why demography matters during the pandemic

12432TrivendrumRajdhani,Patootie
9.1k views

Thanks@Patootie for creating this thread. You have aptly defined the purpose of this thread- articles which are interesting, but thoda hatke and away from UPSC, infusing fresh perspective in our thought process. Though its rare we read Times, but I am attaching an article by Dipankar Gupta, where he attempts to find the answer ofdefining a liberalin this lucidly written short essay. Today when whole world is eager to cage us in 'ideologies', this article, to my mind is a good attempt to invoke the much needed sanity in all of us. Do give your thoughts.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/lib-and-let-lib-a-liberal-thinks-unthinks-and-rethinks-issues-when-new-knowledge-comes-up/

Patootie,
9.2k views
@12432TrivendrumRajdhani Read the article. It's an interesting perspective. However, I think it ignores the fact that the liberal of today is often the conservative of tomorrow who is set in his ways. I believe that is why it seems as though the liberal policy undergoes constant change. The liberal is most often someone who advocates a radical and transformative change in the society that he lives in. I believe the liberal over time often becomes somewhat of a status quoist. The article calls Mahatma Gandhi a true liberal. Yet, if he lived today, much of what he believed in is out of sync with the modern day realities. While we can of course pick and choose certain ideas such as small village republics and link it with our modern day need for decentralisation, but what of his ideas about caste or the role of women? Yes, he did put emphasis on the honour of a woman and supposedly put her on a pedestal, but in the modern day, that pedestal is a cage. His terminology of Dalits as Harijans is viewed by a number of liberals as patronising and as a veiled attempt to maintain or propagate the status quo. The fast at Yeravada jail has been called out as a dirty trick and the Poona Pact evil. 

I believe that Gandhi and to a much lesser extent Nehru, if they lived today, wouldnt particularly be considered liberals. And in the modern day, I believe even liberals don't find common ground to agree on. The conservatives, though often narrow and bigoted, are more united than the liberal class. Divisive issues often divide the liberals much more than they divide the conservatives. That is why I think it looks more like liberals are shifting goalposts. 


Dora-the_Explorer,chamomileand4 otherslike this
10.3k views

So, I recently came across this 2 year old article. I find that it is extremely relevant now more than ever given the recent resurgence of the "cancel culture" in the West.

I notice that modern day political discourse is more and more polarised by the day. If you identify as a conservative, there is this bunch of immutable truths that you just cannot question. Similarly, if you identify as a liberal, there is again a set of incontrovertible truths which you cannot aver against. If you even begin to question these immutable truths, you risk being an outcast within the group. I find this culture absolutely absurd, and I find that it kills independent thought. There is so much anger in modern day political discourse. This is as true in India as it is elsewhere. If you, as a group with a set agenda, cancel every outlier who might not be entirely in line with your thinking, then you force both the outlier and yourself into an echo chamber. And there is no freedom in that.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.economist.com/open-future/2018/08/17/the-dangers-of-illiberal-liberalism



upsc2020,Reticent
10.3k views

https://caravanmagazine.in/law/death-penalty-execution-delhi-gang-rape-anup-surendranath

Article on how we villainise rapists to exonerate ourselves

upsc2020,
10.3k views

How to tackle urban flooding! 

www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/urbanisation/amp/an-every-monsoon-affair-how-to-tackle-urban-flooding-72558

Deepak802,No 1and1 otherslike this
9.1k views

https://indconlawphil.wordpress.com/2019/11/17/a-little-brief-authority-chief-justice-ranjan-gogoi-and-the-rise-of-the-executive-court/


Gautam Bhatia's article on Ranjan Gogoi's chief justiceship. Extremely relevant in understanding what happens when the judiciary stops being a counter-majoritarian institution. 

Deepak802,Reticent
10.3k views

https://www.orfonline.org/research/indias-arctic-potential-48263/

Discusses Indian stake in Arctic region.

Deepak802,
8.7k views

https://thewire.in/education/macaulay-english-medium-new-education-policy

How language policy in NEP would enable propagation of discrimination against Dalits/OBCs ->Kancha Iliah Shepherd writes. 

Dora-the_Explorer,
8.6k views
Guys do read this article . It’s wonderful , it’s actually an excerpt from the recently launched book why we are polarized by Erza klien . 
let me quote a wonderful line from the article above - 
 polarized media doesn’t emphasize commonalities, it weaponizes differences; it doesn’t focus on the best of the other side, it threatens you with the worst.” 

Dora-the_Explorer,walterwhit3and3 otherslike this
9k views
@HUMBLEF00L That article was so relatable. The nation needs to read. 


HUMBLEF00L,
9.9k views
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