Post-truth demonetisation

Instead of government by argumentation, we have government by rhetoric and spectacle

WITH THE RISE of Donald Trump, the term “post-truth” has entered the public sphere. The basic idea is that victorious arguments in politics do not depend on evidence. Rather, politics is about clashing narratives purveyed by contending politicians or groups. The narrative that aligns with the feelings, prejudices, or even interests of a plurality, however untrue, wins out. On Twitter and the social media, partisan armies of supporters fight the political battle unencumbered by evidence or truth.

Why are these considerations relevant to India’s demonetisation? By withdrawing 86 per cent of the currency in one fell swoop, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only unleashed an economic blitzkrieg, he has also wrapped nationalism around it, even arguing that those opposed to demonetisation are like Pakistanis.

The debate, which could be about logic or evidence, is framed as a contestation between two narratives: If you are pro-demonetisation, you are patriotic; and if you are against it, you not only lack patriotism, but you have something to hide or you wish to promote corruption and criminality. By equating critics with Pakistanis, the Modi regime has legitimated — yet again — its Twitter vigilantes, who are only too quick to revile those who disagree with government policies. This is dramatically different from the 1991 economic reforms, when government critics were plentiful and were not afraid to speak out. Several independent voices, of course, will remain undeterred even now. But many not so intrepid, though honestly unconvinced, will prefer silence over the costs of dealing with the Twitter militia.

The government has also made it obvious that failing is not an option. To fail will not just be the failure of a policy, but also a personal humiliation of the leader and the failure of a regime. As a result, every fragment of confirming evidence, however weak, is being loudly displayed as a great success of demonetisation, and every evidence of failure, however strong, is being presented as a temporary difficulty or a sign of a lack of patriotism. Instead of government by argumentation, we have government by rhetoric and spectacle.

Demonetisation has three aspects that bear consideration: Economic, administrative and political. As for the economic consequences,