This document discusses different types of myths including religious, secular, tribal, national, international, personal, and organizational myths. It notes that mythology involves stories, symbols, and rituals that transmit myths. Traditional dominant mythological themes are discussed like heroes, villains, victims, chaos, gods, leaders, and followers. The document contrasts 'problem to solution' prescriptive myths with 'cause and consequence' reflective myths. It analyzes modern Western myths of nation, development, democracy, fairness, justice, rights, rationality, and secularism. Examples are provided of myths involving 'haves' versus 'have nots' and revolutions. It questions what should matter more - merit, economic status, gender, social rank

1. Mythology of
Democracy & Development
Devdutt Pattanaik

2. Myth
= Subjective Truth = Assumption = Belief
• Religious
• Secular
• Tribal
• National
• International
• Personal
• Organizational
• Brand
• What the world is?
• What the world should be?
• Who am I?
• Who I should be?
2

3. Mythology
= Stories, Symbols, Rituals transmitting Myth
3

4. Traditional Dominant Themes 4
Hero
Villain
Victim
Chaos
God
Leader
Follower
Heaven Sage
Nymph
Householder
Rebirth
Yin
Yang
Harmony

5. ‘Problem to Solution’ Myth 5
PRESCRIPTIVE

6. ‘Cause & Consequence’ Myth 6
REFLECTIVE

7. Modern Myth = Western Myth
• Nation
• Development
• Democracy
• Fairness
• Justice
• Rights
• Rationality
• Secularism
• Freedom
7

8. Big guy & Little guy

9. Have to cross the narrow bridge

10. Who first?
? ?
?

11. Big Guy kicks Little Guy aside

12. Revolution

13. Industrial Revolution

14. Little Guy gets Big Car

15. Situation Reversed

16. Have & Have Not

17. Revolution

18. Democracy

19. Movement by Consensus

20. What should matter?
Merit
Economic status
Gender
Social Rank
Legacy
PopulationOrigin

21. Rationalized Stalemate

22. Development needed

23. Cars for both

24. Stalemate Continues

25. Solution: Build two bridges

26. Tree Protests

27. Revolution

28. All because no one gave first right
of passage
? ?
?

29. We forget humans are 99%
animals
29

30. Leadership_JSA
30
We want to dominate

31. We want to be Powerful

32. We refuse to be domesticated

33. We hate being leashed
Baxi
33

34. I use my talent to dominate

35. I use my wealth to dominate

36. Churn to create Wealth…

37. … has become a Tug-of-war

38. Can we outgrow the animal?

39. 39
But Winning Feels so Good
PWC

40. 40
So the gods watch and smile
….while we reflect
PWC

41. For More Information 41
website: devdutt.com
devdutt@devdutt.com
twitter: devduttmyth
Shortly
a course
in
ISB