The US should not normalize Modi’s autocratic and illiberal India at the G20
The US should not normalize Modi’s autocratic and illiberal India at the G20
Despite his lip-service to democracy and human rights, Biden keeps embracing autocrats and would-be autocrats
Despite his lip-service to democracy and human rights, Biden keeps embracing autocrats and would-be autocrats
Biden is not different enough from Trump. We should just go back to the post WWII-mindset of "don't trust anyone over 30”.
Includes me, still not convinced it's a bad idea.
I think this is pretty untrue; Biden is significantly better from a domestic and foreign policy perspective.
Trump is a wannabe authoritarian who would absolutely praise Modi's actions. Biden believes in human rights and democratic systems.
Biden, for example supports:
- Ukraine, and not Russia
- US Democratic systems and traditions.
- Paris Climate Agreement
- Green New Deal
- Cover pre-existing conditions
- Let states legalize marijuana
- Public service student loan forgiveness
- Path to Citizenship (DAPA and DACA
- Reproductive rights
- Funding the IRS to make sure the rich pay their fair share.
Trump, in contrast:
- Attempted blackmail on Ukraine, and supports Russia.
- Attempted a coup, and tried to usurp US Democratic systems and traditions.
- Leasing public lands for drilling and mining
- Cutting food stamps
- Tax cuts for rich
- Muslim Ban
- Cut refugee resettlements
- Spend billions and steal land for Wall
- Federal death penalty
- Transgender Ban
Trump and Biden are very different.
Edit: clarity
Trump and Biden are very different.
Not different enough, for me.
I mean, Biden seems pretty dramatically different to Trump. There are some things I'd like him to do differently (he certainly seems to share with Trump some mercantilist instincts about trade, for example) but I'd question the judgement of someone who can't tell the difference between a wannabe literal fascist dictator and a middle-of-the-road liberal moderate.
The India issue is a tricky one. Modi is undoubtedly a wrong 'un, but it seems Biden is making a strategic judgement about encouraging India into the liberal democratic side of the geopolitical divide that will dominate the rest of the century. India in China's camp would not be a good outcome for the world. But we need to not be blind to Modi's failings. I don't know how we strike that balance right though. Long-term, the real hope is that the Indian opposition get their act together and turf Modi's BJP mob from office.
I'm already being critical within the confines of accepting that I'll have no better choice than voting for him, there's no need to give me a lecture.
All the leaders we're discussing are a symptom of bad election systems. First past the post is never going to give us leaders that don't piss us off and divide us.