governance, political economy, institutional development and economic regulation
The Aam Aurat finds it difficult to understand what the “policracy” does, though all agree that it is important for their welfare. Most believe that their local representatives (municipal corporators, MLA and MPs) have access vast amounts of disretionary public funds and access to “people who matter” who could get them a government job, get […]
Read More Overhauling political institutionsIndians are like Americans. Neither are overly concerned by foreign policy. The depth and range of their continental nations is enough to absorb a the limted time span that is available to a citizen, beyond the every day travails of living; do we have enough water inthe tank or is the invertor working?(India) is the […]
Read More India is not an international TendulkarHelping the poor is a complex balancing act between tolerating the fiscal cost of leakages to ineligible persons and the social cost of a perception of inequity because of unfair exclusion of eligible persons. A similar amount as dole for all poor households (the new politically correct term for a “cash transfer”) irrespective of their […]
Read More Hello government callingCan democracy and public secrecy go together. It does in the USA, as Julian established and so i suppose we are doomed to accept it in India too. This is despite the much championed RTI…..a legislation which is as hollow as a bansuri (flute) but sounds as sweet. The government is effectively answerable only to […]
Read More The secret of the price of onionsIndia looks its age at 66. Tired, despondent, shambolic, spiritless. Odd for a country where 50% of its population is below 15 and another 40% below 54 years of age. Part of the explanation is we die young of malnutrition, poor health care and (believe it or not snake bite) but the main reason is […]
Read More Say no to the rule of the oldIndian trade diplomacy has an alarming tendency to score a self goal. Our approach to China is like that of a chimpanzee thumping its chest to imitate a gorilla. It is delusionary for India to think it can compete with China in what it is already an expert: the supply of manufacturers at affordable prices. […]
Read More Invite the Dragon inIndian Rabudom and Baniagiri.
Read More Indian Rabudom and BaniagiriIs India a land of Banias or Rajas, Babus and bonded labourers (the latter collectively termed “Rabudom”)? The anglo-west is clearly a land of banias (service with a smile, anything to improve the bottom line, everyone tries to work) as is China and East Asia. South Asia (including India) and Africa are still caught in […]
Read More Indian Rabudom and BaniagiriRich moms could be role models.
Read More Rich moms could be role modelsWe have a choice to make, as India grows rich. Should we glorify the path of escalating consumption levels as the mantra of economic growth or the Gandhian concept of “self restraint” as the root of sustainabile growth. Man is the only animal which consumes relentlessly. In the West the poor are obese because fatty […]
Read More Rich moms could be role models
Opinion India 