An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire (2002-2004) is a collection of 14 essays written by Arundhati Roy. She weaves together the idea of increasing the influence of corporations in global politics and the economy. She also throws light on the increasing consolidation of caste and growing communal politics in India. This book is fiercely written presenting bold views on how money, caste and religion dominate global politics and ultimately us.
About the author
Arundhati Roy is an Indian writer, environmentalist and political activist. Her first book, a work of fiction, God of small things (1997) won Man Booker’s Prize in 1998. Subsequently, she has written a lot of non-fiction: The algebra of infinite justice (2001), An ordinary person’s guide to an empire (2005), Listening to Grasshoppers (2009) and Broken Republic (2011). After a long gap, she published a work of fiction titled “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” which a semi-autobiographical account of her tryst with Kashmir.
The premise of the book
I have always known Arundhati as one of a kind writer. Her novel, God of small things was no less than a force that moved me towards feminism. It made me realize how unnatural is the imposition of double roles and expectations from gender, caste and religion. Even today, when I remember the things which the novel talked about, I am moved.
Read more: Talkhiyaan: Bitterness in God of small things
She is one of the most articulate thinkers who pens her ideas lyrically and backs them up with enough evidence. Its prose gives you the comfort of fiction and the grounding of non-fiction. The world today is not short of writers, it is short of thinkers who can think independently and convey those thoughts effectively to the readers. Amitav Ghosh is another writer whom I consider one of the best thinkers of all times.
Read more: Why Amitav Ghosh matters to literature
Capitalism and its woes
It is surprising to see that the themes she has covered in the book are still relevant. Things has not improved and few things have gone from being bad to worse. She talks of capitalism and its ulterior motives. How money is shaping who gets to live and who is left to die. Capital decides which country gets an independent government and a democracy and which country doesn’t.
She quotes that anything is justified in the pursuit of building an empire. Colonialism is a story we have often heard and ruminated over. How things are shaping today and how “Neo-colonialism” is taking over is something that this book throws light on. The repeated attacks on the Middle East and East Asia in the name of fighting for democracy and human rights has another face to it.
The point is, if Saddam Hussein was evil enough to merit the most elaborate, openly declared assassination attempt in history, then surely those who supported him ought to at least be tried for war crimes? Why aren’t the faces of US and UK government officials on the infamous pack of wanted men and women?
Because when it comes to Empire, facts don’t matter.
— Arundhati Roy, An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire
The Breaking News
Media has been majorly hijacked by the ongoing quest for political and economic gains. The situation is worse now with news channels becoming the agents of polarization and hatred. While it is totally fine to support your cause, bring your community to the forefront and support them, it is not okay to do at the cost of peace that binds society together.
Peace is war now.
To win peace, you have to fight wars. With the Government, the industrialists and foreign forces. She quotes innumerable examples of adivasis who have been at a streak of non-violent protests to protect their homes. When they protest peacefully, it doesn’t become a breaking news but when they retaliate in defense, it becomes a breaking news.
We read about a crisis first and the events leading to the crisis later. This form of “Crisis reportage” is taking us nowhere. Journalism needs to have that responsibility check and realize the importance of becoming a voice.
This book is old, yet relevant. If you are looking for some quality read to understand the correlation between capitalism and society, An Ordinary Person’s Guide To Empire book by Arundhati Roy is an essential read.
If you have read ‘An Ordinary Person’s Guide To Empire’ by Arundhati Roy, I am keen to know your thoughts of this book.