The Captive Mind and the Concept of "Realism"

The Captive Mind, authored by Czesław Miłosz, offers a deep analysis of authoritarianism, using the allegory of a "Murti-Bing" pill from an older Polish novel, Insatiability by Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz. This pill symbolically represents the ways intellectuals and citizens justify submission to power through ideological adjustment, self-deception, and fear.

Realism in International and Domestic Affairs

• International Realism:
  • Involves understanding and adapting to the power dynamics on the global stage.
  • It is portrayed as pragmatic, unsentimental, and focused on the world's realities, often contrasting with idealism.
  • Examples include justifying asymmetrical bargains with powerful nations, like the US, under the guise of realism.
  • Policies such as offering unconditional support to countries like Israel are deemed realist actions.
• Domestic Analogy:
  • At home, this realism discourages questioning authority, promoting adaptation over dissent.
  • Citizens are advised to understand power dynamics rather than assert their rights.

Three Features of Contemporary Indian Realism

• Lack of Independent Criteria:
  • Realism is whatever aligns with the choices of those in power.
  • It lacks discipline and merely ratifies existing power structures.
• Psychological Affinity:
  • There is a connection between accepting global hierarchies and domestic authoritarianism.
  • Both involve submission to concentrated power.
• Lack of Imagination:
  • Realism confines possibilities by emphasizing adaptation to existing power structures.
  • It prevents the exploration of new political actions and forecloses alternatives.

The Consequences of Realism

Realism is criticized for being a "suck up, kick down" philosophy, where power is accommodated selectively, often silencing criticism of major powers while allowing critique of lesser entities. This approach is seen as corrosive, promoting submission to power rather than challenging it. It leads to a form of realism that is seldom future-oriented and limits the capacity for political innovation and change.

In summary, the article warns against realism that serves as an excuse for submission to authority and power, advocating instead for a balance between understanding power dynamics and maintaining moral aspirations.