Montessori’s Perspective on Violence and Children
- Maria Montessori, renowned for her educational philosophy, expressed a profound concern about the impact of violence on children.
- In her works, particularly “Education and Peace,” she emphasized that exposure to violence, whether personal or collective, initiates a destructive cycle of revenge.
- Montessori believed that this cycle, rooted in childhood experiences, serves as a fundamental cause of future conflicts, aligning with the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Elias Canetti’s Similar Argument
- Echoing Montessori’s concerns, Elias Canetti, a celebrated philosopher, highlighted in “Crowds and Power” the seed of revengeful thoughts planted in a child’s mind through experiences of violence.
- This seed, given time, matures into resistance and rebellion against societal norms.
- Canetti identified historical circumstances, technological forces, and poverty as contributing factors, as seen in a study on child soldiers in Nepal.
Gaza Conflict and Predictable Psychological Impact
- The recent Israeli assault on Gaza, intended to finish off Hamas, is predicted to have various unpredictable outcomes.
- However, one foreseeable consequence is the profound psychological impact on Palestinian children, especially adolescents.
- Thousands reported dead, the extensive rubble, and forced displacement contribute to an uncertain and agonizing future for the surviving children.
Montessori’s Educational Philosophy
- Montessori’s educational philosophy, outlined in “The Secret of Childhood,” highlights the crucial role of peaceful circumstances in a child’s upbringing.
- She argued that major societal problems find their roots in childhood, offering a pedagogic strategy to break the cycle of historical influences on children’s minds and behaviors.
Ignoring Montessori’s Message
- Despite Montessori’s plea for using education to combat the culture of war, Israel’s leaders, driven by anger and political compulsions, have chosen to overlook her message.
- This neglect reflects a broader trend where education’s potential to instill peace is doubted, evident in global conflicts such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Education’s Role in Gaza and Israel
- The ongoing destruction in Gaza and political discussions about its future raise questions about the power of education to promote peace.
- Frustration with education is widespread globally, with doubts about its ability to counter dangerous ideologies.
- The contrast in portrayals of the past in Israeli and Palestinian textbooks underscores how education can perpetuate divisive ideas and hinder reconciliation.
Future Considerations
- As discussions about the future of Gaza focus predominantly on politics, the role of education in shaping a peaceful future for the region is often neglected.
Both in Palestine and Israel, there is a need to reconsider the role of education in fostering peace and understanding, acknowledging its potential impact on the next generation’s mindset.
Introduction
The month of November has brought positive developments in various global arenas, particularly in geopolitics and economic indicators.
Geopolitical Positivity
- Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: Reports indicate a short ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in West Asia, signaling a potential reduction in tensions.
- US-China Summit: Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held a summit, discussing global and bilateral issues. Despite no formal declaration, the summit sent a positive signal about international cooperation.
Economic Surprises
- Inflation Trends:
- In the developed world, both the US and the European Union experienced a drop in inflation, providing evidence of the effectiveness of measures against rapid inflation.
- S. Consumer Price Index inflation decreased to 3.2% in October, down from 3.7% in September.
- EU inflation dropped to 2.9% from 4.3% the previous month, below consensus expectations.
- Global Markets:
- Bond yields globally have eased, and equities have surged on hopes of overcoming inflation concerns.
- Despite the Federal Reserve’s stance, markets anticipate steady rates, and there’s speculation of rate cuts in the future.
- Indian Economic Landscape:
- India witnessed a decline in retail inflation to a four-month low of 4.9% and a decrease in core inflation to 4.2%.
- Wholesale Price Index marked the seventh consecutive negative month, offering relief to producers.
- Global crude oil prices have softened, potentially entering a bear market.
- Festive Season Boost:
- India’s retail markets recorded significant trading during the festive season, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
Anticipated GDP Growth
- High-Frequency Indicators:
- Various high-frequency indicators, including e-way bills, GST collections, credit growth, and electricity consumption, suggest robust private consumption, factory output, and government capital expenditure.
- Central government capex spending in H1 FY24 is 43% higher than the previous year.
- GDP Estimates:
- Signs indicate that India’s GDP growth for Q2 may surpass the expected 6.5%, potentially reaching around 7%.
Future Considerations
- Monitoring Factors:
- Continued monitoring of oil prices, especially with OPEC+ reviewing production targets.
- Attention to the external demand environment, which remains weak with declining world trade growth projections.
- Political Landscape:
- Focus on the upcoming general elections after state election results, monitoring government and private sector activities.
- Policy Coordination:
- Emphasis on the need for ongoing coordination between monetary and fiscal policies to navigate global risks and inflation threats.
- Preserving Economic Resilience:
- Highlighting the importance of maintaining India’s economic resilience and macro-financial stability to sustain growth momentum.
Conclusion
While positive trends are observed, vigilance and coordinated policies are crucial for navigating potential challenges on both the domestic and global fronts.
Economic Targets and Social Welfare
- The article scrutinizes India’s ambitious economic target of achieving a $5 trillion GDP by 2028 against the backdrop of extending a welfare scheme providing free foodgrains to 80 crore beneficiaries.
- It raises questions about the potential disconnect between economic growth and the welfare of a significant population.
Lessons from Japan’s Growth
- Drawing a parallel with Japan’s economic trajectory, the article emphasizes that economic growth, when fueled by high-value industries, can exacerbate social issues such as loneliness, suicides, and social withdrawal.
- The comparison serves as a cautionary tale for India’s race towards becoming the third-largest global economy.
Capital Disparities and Funding the Economic Sprint
- Analyzing the distribution of wealth in India, the article highlights significant disparities, with 1% of the population owning a substantial portion of the nation’s wealth.
- It explores how the financial burden of achieving the $5 trillion target falls disproportionately on low-resource citizens, questioning the inclusivity of the growth trajectory.
Challenges in Economic Tools and Sectors
- Examining the tools and sectors identified by the government for achieving the economic goal, the article argues that cutting-edge industries like digital economy, fintech, and artificial intelligence may not be accessible to the marginalized population.
- It critiques the mismatch between the targeted growth sectors and the skill set of a large segment of the population.
Per Capita Income and Inequality Concerns
- The article raises concerns about India’s per capita income, currently ranked 149 among 194 countries, and questions the potential deepening of inequality as the nation pursues the $5 trillion target.
- It draws attention to the inequality index, comparing it with countries like China and Japan, suggesting that economic growth should be accompanied by equitable distribution for societal well-being.
The Divide Between Two Indias
In the concluding section, the article contemplates the impact of the $5 trillion target on the socio-economic divide in India.
It speculates whether the economic achievements will benefit only a portion of the population, leaving the majority in the slow lanes of progress, reinforcing the idea of “two Indias” with divergent paths of development.
