The Argumentative Indian – Amartya Sen

Brief Description of the Book

The Argumentative Indian is a collection of essays where Amartya Sen argues that public reasoning, debate, and dialogue are deeply rooted in Indian civilisation. He challenges the notion that Indian culture is inherently authoritarian or tradition-bound and instead presents India as a society shaped by pluralism, heterodoxy, tolerance, and reasoned dissent. The book is extremely useful for GS-2 (Polity, Democracy, Governance), GS-4 (Ethics), and Essay, especially on democracy, free speech, secularism, inclusion, and constitutional values.

The following extracts may be used in OPSC answer writing:

“The tradition of public reasoning is deeply rooted in Indian culture.”→ GS-2 Polity / Essay: Democratic ethos, deliberative democracy, Indian civilisational values

“Democracy is not just about ballots, but about public reasoning.”→ GS-2 Governance / Essay: Beyond elections, role of debate, institutions, and civil society

“Argument is not alien to Indian tradition.”→ Essay / GS-1: Pluralism, tolerance, intellectual diversity in Indian society

“A free press and an independent judiciary are among the central pillars of democracy.”→ GS-2 Polity: Institutional checks and balances, democratic accountability

“Reasoned scrutiny is the basis of good public policy.”→ GS-2 Governance: Evidence-based policymaking, rational decision-making

“The force of an argument depends on its reasoning, not on the identity of the person making it.”→ GS-4 Ethics / Essay: Equality, merit of ideas, ethical discourse

“Democracy has intrinsic as well as instrumental value.”→ GS-2 / Essay: Democracy as a value in itself and as a means to development

“Plurality is not a burden but a strength.”→ GS-2 / Essay: Managing diversity, inclusive nationalism

“Intellectual freedom is central to social progress.”→ GS-2 / GS-4: Freedom of expression, academic freedom, innovation

“A society that suppresses reasoning also suppresses its own progress.”→ Essay / GS-2: Dissent, free debate, reform

“Justice is ultimately connected with how people live and what they can do.”→ GS-4 Ethics / GS-2: Capability approach, substantive justice

“Public discussion and debate are not optional extras of democracy.”→ GS-2 Polity / Essay: Democratic culture, participatory governance