Manu Joseph's book, Why the Poor Don't Kill Us, investigates the observed coexistence of significant wealth and extreme poverty in modern India. Joseph explores the factors contributing to the absence of widespread social unrest despite stark economic disparities. The author posits that the Indian poor often accept adverse circumstances as routine, a perspective he links to a form of fatalism where suffering is perceived as destiny. Through eighteen essays, Joseph argues that this acceptance is rooted in cultural, moral, and psychological conditioning.
He further examines how elements such as religion, caste, and nationalism may contribute to the perception of injustice as an unalterable fate. Joseph also introduces the concept of 'civic ugliness,' suggesting it may paradoxically offer the poor a sense of continued national inclusion.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/why-poor-dont-kill-us-review-manu-joseph-poverty-india-inequality-10324652/