India: Narendra Modi and the Harnessing of Hate

This case study of India analyzes the use of hate spin in Narendra Modi’s triumphant 2014 election campaign. The Sangh Parivar network of Hindu nationalists targeted the Muslim minority through classic hate speech in order to mobilize the far right and unite the caste-riven Hindu majority behind the Brahmin-dominated BJP. The Hindu right also conducted a systematic campaign to manufacture extreme offendedness against historical writing perceived as defaming their religion. India’s legal system has been unable to contain hate spin. Laws against incitement are poorly enforced, offering little protection for vulnerable groups facing violence. At the same time, laws intended to preserve harmony by regulating insult have created a de facto right to be offended, which is used by hate spin agents to demand censorship of legitimate speech.

Prometheus Chained

The Chained Prometheus is introduced as a metaphor for the behavioral scientist. Science (including psychology and pedagogy) is no longer taken for granted. Society, politics, and the media pose critical questions and not infrequently demand censorship or at least control of science. An analysis is given of the types of criticism and skepticism with respect to science, and to psychology in particular. The (behavioral) scientist faces a dilemma: On the one hand, science cannot exist and develop without freedom; on the other hand, this does not mean the freedom to amass knowledge at any price and without any restrictions. Thus, we balance ourselves between freedom and ethical/social responsibility. This presentation reflects on the question of the social and ethical limitations of (behavioral) science: Who should control what and on which criteria?