[kj] And new Jaz interview:

[folk devil]

Everyone is still absorbing the Jaz interview :)
 
I do like the Gandhi reference on 'the village'
 
"Within local governance, Gandhi laid great emphasis on village governance since being at the grassroots level it constitutes direct democracy whereas all others are representative democracy. According to Indian scriptures, the village parliament consisting of all adult men and women control all village resources, officials and decision-making. Women have thus been franchised in India for 4000 years whereas they got enfranchised in the West only in this century. The village parliament elects the village head and councillors for day to day work usually for a year, and can remove them any time for misconduct. Counsellors are held in high esteem but if the community finds that any one of them has abused authority, he can be summarily removed through simple majority.
The village government gives land and other environmental resources on village lease for specific use. The community thus prevents misuse of land and protects the interests of the weak. Such grassroots empowerment regenerates the spiritual energies of the people for self-development as they are involved in day to day decisions about the community and the environment.
In contemporary times, industrial proposals will need the approval of village governments. This will nurture an environment in which industry functions in trusteeship of society, producing goods and services useful for society, investing the surplus for common good, and avoid ostentatious consumption. Such industry can also support social services such as education and health-care to supplement the programme of the village and district governments." http://www.peoplefirstindia.org/9village.htm
 
I was recently reminded of Gandhi's Seven Social Sins, also
 


Politics without Principle 

Wealth Without Work 

Pleasure Without Conscience 

Knowledge without Character 

Commerce without Morality 

Science without Humanity 

Worship without Sacrifice 
http://www.gandhi-manibhavan.org/main/q7.htm
 
And one of my favourite quotes:
 
Interviewer - 
'What do you think of western civilisation?' 
Ghandi -
'I think it would be a very good idea! 		 	   		  
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