Amit's Musings

Great Power Myopia: Strategic Miscalculations in Global Politics Preamble The chessboard of global politics is dominated by great powers—nations like the United States, China, and Russia, whose moves can ignite wars, forge alliances, or reshape economies. Yet, these giants often stumble, blinded by their own ambitions or narratives. Edward Luttwak’s provocative concept of “great power autism” captures this phenomenon, arguing that dominant states misjudge the intricate “social” dynamics of international relations due to insular, self-referential worldviews. While his metaphor stirs debate for its sensitivity, it illuminates a critical flaw: a failure to read global cues, leading to policies that backfire spectacularly. This note weaves Luttwak’s framework with the insights of five intellectual heavyweights—Hans Morgenthau, Samuel Huntington, John Mearsheimer, Robert Jervis, and Henry Kissinger—while amplifying the analysis with detailed contributions from ten additional experts. Th...

The Divine Melody: Carnatic Music Carnatic music, the classical tradition of South India, is a profound expression of spirituality and artistry, rooted in the Samaveda and Natyashastra. Evolving through centuries of temple and royal patronage, it blends intricate ragas, rhythmic talas, and devotional compositions, flourishing under the Vijayanagara Empire and Tanjore courts. Its glory years saw the Trinity—Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri—elevate it to sublime heights. Preserved through the guru-shishya tradition and sabhas, it thrives today in global concert halls, festivals, and digital platforms, despite economic challenges. This treatise explores its historical evolution, philosophical depth, economic dynamics, patronage shifts, major schools, iconic exponents, stylistic interplays, and contemporary vitality. Enriched with expert insights, vivid anecdotes, and reflections, it celebrates Carnatic music as a living legacy, weaving devotion, intellect, and emotion int...

Japan’s Welfare Mirage: A Socialist Soul in a Capitalist Suit? Japan’s welfare system—spanning health, education, employment, and pensions—presents a fascinating paradox: a nation often hailed as a capitalist powerhouse yet steeped in welfare measures that echo socialist ideals. Pre-WWII, Japan’s welfare was minimal, tied to militarism and industrial needs, with meager health and pension schemes. Postwar (1945–1990), the Allied occupation and economic boom birthed universal healthcare, robust education, lifetime employment, and generous pensions, suggesting a socialist-leaning system under a capitalist facade. Since 1990, economic stagnation, neoliberal reforms, and an aging population have strained these measures, yet Japan retains universal healthcare and pension frameworks, balancing market-driven policies with social commitments. This essay argues that Japan’s welfare system, while rooted in capitalist structures, exhibits socialist tendencies through state-driven equality and un...

The Living Echoes: A Treatise on Indian Folk Music Indian folk music, a vibrant mosaic of regional voices, reflects the soul of India’s diverse communities, rooted in ancient traditions of oral storytelling, rituals, and labor. From Punjab’s Bhangra to Assam’s Bihu, it weaves simple melodies, rhythmic patterns, and vernacular lyrics, shaped by local cultures and histories. Flourishing through village gatherings, festivals, and seasonal cycles, it thrived under community patronage, with iconic forms like Baul and Lavani gaining prominence. Today, it resonates globally through festivals, films, and digital platforms, though faces challenges from urbanization and commercialization. This treatise explores its origins, development, philosophical underpinnings, economic dynamics, regional forms, notable performers, stylistic interplays, and contemporary vitality. We celebrate Indian folk music as a living legacy, capturing the joys, sorrows, and spirit of India’s people across time and space...

The Fab Four: Laxman, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Ganguly Let’s step into the golden age of Indian cricket, where four giants—VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly—crafted a legacy that redefined the game. From the late 1990s to the 2010s, these maestros turned pitches into stages, their bats weaving tales of artistry, grit, and glory. Laxman’s silken wristwork, Tendulkar’s divine genius, Dravid’s unyielding resolve, and Ganguly’s fiery elegance made India a cricketing superpower. Against the world’s fiercest bowlers, they stood tall, their strokes a symphony of defiance and beauty. Each brought a unique flavor, yet together, they formed the backbone of India’s rise, inspiring a nation to dream big. Join me as we dive into their stories, their battles against pace and spin, their monumental contributions, and their towering place in cricket’s pantheon, where every drive, flick, and cover shot became a verse in India’s cricketing epic. VVS Laxman Let’s start w...