National independence, and the preceding political struggles, helped create the space for literary creation in many post-colonial countries. Much of modern Indian or Chinese literature is inconceivable without the political movement for freedom from foreign rule. Pankaj Mishra chinesecolonialcountry share on social
As in the early 20th century, the elemental forces of globalisation have unravelled broad solidarities and loyalties. Pankaj Mishra 20thbroadcentury Change image and share on social
The White House tapes, the recordings that Nixon made of his conversations in office, have long been recognized as a marvel of verbal incontinence. Pankaj Mishra conversationhouseincontinence Change image and share on social
I started out as a novelist and wrote several novels before deciding to publish one, and I fully intend to go back to the form. Pankaj Mishra backdecideform Change image and share on social
Countries that managed to rebuild commanding state structures after popular nationalist revolutions - such as China, Vietnam, and Iran - look stable and cohesive when compared with a traditional monarchy such as Thailand or wholly artificial nation-states like Iraq and Syria. Pankaj Mishra artificialchinacohesive share on social
The clash of civilizations or the clash between Islam and the West may be cliches. But there is an even bigger cliche around: that this clash actually goes on within Islam, between reformists and fanatics. Pankaj Mishra bigcivilizationclash share on social
The Dalai Lama can claim the sanction of the Buddha, who is said to have altered his teachings in order to reach a diverse audience. Pankaj Mishra alteraudiencebuddha Change image and share on social
As the spiritual leader of six million people, the Dalai Lama can be credited with a significant renunciation of the authority of tradition - of the conventional politics of national self-interest as well as of religion. Pankaj Mishra authorityconventionalcredit share on social
Shallowness and ignorance have been our lot in the mass consumer societies we inhabit, where we were too distracted to act politically, apart from periodically deputing political elites to take life-and-death decisions on our behalf. Pankaj Mishra actbehalfconsumer share on social
Gandhi's ideas were rooted in a wide experience of a freshly globalized world. Pankaj Mishra experiencefreshlygandhi Change image and share on social