Books Quote by Amit Chaudhuri
““Its (the Left’s) intensity derives from the fact that it’s a family largely composed of, in a manner of speaking, orphans of bhadralok history (for we hardly hear of the mothers and fathers of party members), brought together not by accident but by idealism and its cousin, ideology. Bonds of orphanhood and kinship are particularly charged (as Kipling showed us in The Jungle Book) when they are self-created, and each party member is probably a bit of everything – mother, father, sibling, friend – to every other member.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The City and the Gods, Amit Chaudhuri, 2015
The quote describes how a political group’s cohesion stems from shared feelings of abandonment and idealistic commitment, forming self‑chosen familial bonds.
In simple terms: Political groups bond over shared idealism and feelings of orphanhood.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of shared purpose in building community.
Themes
politics
identity
community
idealism
kinship
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- grassroots movements
- party organization
- activist networks
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
social psychology
collective identity
political sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does idealism both unite and divide?
- What role does perceived orphanhood play in political loyalty?
A Different Perspective
Such bonds can also exclude outsiders and reinforce echo chambers.
