“Franchise” by Issac Asimov is a short story depicting the future United States where one individual is selected by computer to represent the entire national electorate in voting for the new President, ordinary Norman Muller is not sure he wants that privilege.
The poster is inspired from scratchboard work of BM Anand’s scathing indictment of Western imperialism during the Cold War and the impending Vietnam War. It pictured a newly converted indigenous American wearing both the feathered headgear of a chief but also the crucifix of a Christian convert. Seated on a pile of human skulls, he is about to set fire to the globe. Strapped to his back is another globe that depicts the US. Hovering over the indigenous American is another specter, the grim reaper that represents the outcome of such acts. The composition is set against the cityscape of Washington DC and highlights Anand’s critique of the impact of neo-colonialism.
