![]() Crocker's rather imperial tone is also hard to miss when he speaks of the "mob". ![]() Crocker himself is perhaps not entirely free of traces of a colonial mindset when he offers this criticism, and which can be seen emerging occasionally throughout the book, as when he speaks of the "Indian mind" - usually negatively. ![]() He perceives Nehru's hastiness as having shown unfortunate results in many decolonised states, which have seen dictatorships emerge - and India itself is seen in danger of failing to sustain parliamentary democracy. However, while not giving it much credit initially, Crocker mentions the lack of real alternatives to non-alignment available to a person in Nehru's place, and counts it as one of his contributions to world peace.Ĭrocker also criticizes Nehru for being "too hasty" in his pursuit of decolonisation and independence. Non-alignment is perhaps treated unfairly by Crocker, who at times reads it as myopic. In our day and age, when Nehru's name invites only disparagement and criticism, this sympathy is perhaps a desirable reminder to look at history with not only a critical eye, but also with sympathy and understanding. ![]() ![]() In its judiciousness, however, it does not forget to treat Nehru with compassion. Crocker's Nehru is a judicious and measured account of the first prime minister of independent India. ![]()
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