Prabhat Patnaik equates globalization with imperialism

[the Left's anti-imperialism was insufficient, in the sense that it did not extend to the formulation of an alternative economic policy... Reflections on the Left Jul 1st 2009, Prabhat Patnaik - In India, since the adversity of workers, peasants, agricultural labourers and petty producers, under globalization, has been accompanied by high growth rates, and rapid increases in incomes and opportunities for the urban middle class, a degree of pro-imperialism among this class which includes intellectuals, media persons and professionals, and hence a degree of exasperation with the Left's continued adherence to old ''anti-imperialist shibboleths'', is hardly surprising. The Left's error that accounts for its loss in the recent elections can be located here. As long as the urban middle class in India is not hit by the adverse consequences of globalization, it will continue to remain sympathetically disposed towards imperialism. Anti-imperialist ideological appeals alone, though they must continue to be made, will not sway it much. Two additional factors that will contribute towards this sympathy for imperialism are, first, the assumption of US Presidency by Barack Obama who represents ''imperialism with a human face'', and, second, the strong opposition to imperialism coming at present from the Islamist movements with which broad sections of the Indian urban middle class have little affinity. As long as the Indian Left remains true to its ideology and the interests of its class base, the pro-imperialist sympathies of the Indian urban middle class will necessarily entail some estrangement of this class from the Left. This is a phenomenon that will haunt the Left for as long as the current conjuncture continues. In the recent elections, it follows that a certain loss of urban support for the Left became unavoidable when it broke with the UPA because of its anti-imperialism. Prabhat advises Left not to shun poor Economic Times - NEW DELHI: At a time when the Left is reassessing its political identity in the wake of unprecedented election losses, economist and communist ideologue ... Article on LDF defeat : VS defends Patnaik Express Buzz
Achuthanandan unfazed; takes a dig at party rivals Peninsula On-line]

It is not often that politicians confess shortcomings. The recent election debacle, surprisingly, has forced many to be candid and this is a welcome trend in Indian politics. Prabhat Patnaik has admitted that the Left was done in because of its opposition to the nuclear deal. It was crystal clear then, but neither the Left nor the BJP was ready to listen to sane voices. It is strange that crucial policy decisions are handled with such mediocrity and perfunctoriness. [TNM]