Comparative Politics Final: India
The political views of general public
A diversified India public due mainly to the different ethnicity, caste, religion, languages, social status, education, geography, etc. The legacies of nonviolent civil disobedience. The influence of mob politics.
Demographic Features
A multi-ethnic nation, (mainly Indo-Aryan (72%) and Dravidian (25%)). Official language is Hindi, though English is also used in official documents. Life expectancy is around 67, but population growth is much faster than China. Polarization of the people and inadequate protection of the poor.
Political parties
A multi-party system divided into two categories: national parties and regional parties. Political parties need to be recognized with certain seats in elections. For a long time, the National Congress Party dominated national politics, then the political system moves toward two major parties (Bharatiya Janata Party). Parliamentary alliance. Currently, the ruling party BJP alliance with a number of small parties to form a "National Democratic Alliance", and the major opposition party, Congress party, led the "United Progressive Alliance". Political parties in India are usually formed around "star" politicians.
The panchayats
A self-government in rural areas. Panchayats could be established at the village, intermediate and district levels. Seats in the panchayats are elected by direct election proportionately with the territory's population.
Bharatiya Janata Party ("Indian People's Party") vs. Congress
As a pro-Hindu nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party won the 2014 election and replaced the Congress government. What changes does the BJP bring to Indians?
Council of Ministries
Collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Led by the Prime Minister to carry out administrative duties of the Union.
Social Policies
Conflicts between Hindus and other major religions. Elite education and educational rights of the poor. Sanitation and public health policies Fight against crimes.
The Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
Currently it has 245 members, of which 233 elected to represent the states and union territories, and 12 nominated by the President of India, who are usually distinguished scholars and celebrities. Members have a term of six-years, every second year a third of members are facing reelection.
Economic policies
Economic slowdown and possible changes of Congress's populist economic policies (e.g., rural employment guaranteed, national food security program) Economic development and environmental protection. Deforestation, pollution, and excessive development made the environmental issues a prominent one.
The states
Every state has a governor as the head of the state. Every state has a legislature (some has an upper house as well). State council of ministers, led by a chief minister, is responsible to the legislature and help the governor to run the executive affairs. Uneven development of states.
India's natural resources
Fertile soil to grow agricultural products. However, cultivated lands are shrinking. A variety of horticulture produces and a leading fish producer. Energy and other mineral resources. India has large deposit of coal and iron ore. Oil consumption is far exceeding its production in India. Forest resources and hydroelectric power.
The British colonial times
From Mauryan (322-185 BC) to Mughal (1526-1857) dynasties. The East India Company started doing trade and colonizing South Asia in the mid-18th century. The ruling power was transferred to British Crown in 1858, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The British raj period (1858-1947). From self-government to partition. Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) and his non-violent passive resistance.
Culture and national identity
India has a long and rich civilization and is multi-cultural in nature. Its influence spreads over Eurasian continent. Hinduism is the world third largest religion. Buddhism, founded by Gautama Buddha, started in east past of Indian Subcontinent. It has great impact in many Asian countries. Distinctive culture: architecture (e.g., Taj Mahal), dances (e.g., Bharatanatyam), dresses (e.g., Sari), and food. The caste system, a social stratification system in India also known as Varna system. It consists of four classes: Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya (rulers and warriors), Vaishya (merchants, landowners) and Shudra (peasants, servants). Identity politics in India. A struggle mainly among three forces: the western influence, the Aryan Vedic culture, and the marginalized cultural minorities.
Poverty and sustainable development
India has a serious poverty issue, due mainly to the polarization of the population in the industrialization period, and the urbanization process. Typically, the poor people are uneducated, rural, from a low caste family background, and many of them live in high-crime rate communities.
Channels for the public to express themselves
Joining or voting for political parties sharing same ideologies. Through demonstrations and public rallies. Form public opinion to give government pressure. Grass-root non-government organizations.
Constitutional powers of the judicial branch
Judicial independence is guaranteed by the constitution. The constitution endorses the judicial branch to be guardian of the constitution and of human rights and freedoms of the people.
Gender inequality
Lack of education (about half of women are illiterate). Early age, and sometimes forced marriage (women's social status is low). Victims of violent crimes. The frequently happened violence against women tarred the image of India and put lots of pressure on Indian government.
Geography
Located in South Asia subcontinent, seventh largest country in the world. Divided into 29 states and 7 union territories. Has territorial disputes with two of its big neighbors: Pakistan over Kashmir, and China over the Tibetan borders. Its northern border is defined by the Himalayans, and the south is well into Indian Ocean. River Ganges. It is worshipped by Hindus as the Goddess Ganga.
The Lok Sabha (House of the People)
Maximum member 552 (530 elected from states, 20 from union territories, and 2 reserved for Anglo-Indian community selected by the President). They have a term of 5 years and a minimum age of 25. More powerful in monetary bills, other legislative processes are similar to the Rajya Sabha. Members are elected in accordance with the proportion of population of states. A proportion (currently 138/552) of seats reserved for "scheduled" castes and tribes. A variety of voting procedures including voice voting, physical counting, "division" voting (using voting equipment; distributing "Ayes"/"Noes" slip in the house; and go to the lobbies). Every day on business calendar starts with a "Question Hour" time, where members ask information on "a matter of urgent public importance".
Foreign and defense policies
Modi government's relations with other major powers. Tibetan and border disputes with China Conflicts with Pakistan, especially over Kashmir.
Indira Gandhi (1966-1977, 1980-1984)
Nehru's daughter, led the National Congress ruling India till her assassinated in 1984, succeeded by her son, Rajiv Gandhi, who was also assassinated in 1989. Gandhi's autocratic style of leadership (e.g., restriction of constitutional rights). Her economic policies (e.g., agricultural reforms made India's food self-sufficiency).
Electoral systems
Presidential elections. The President is elected through an electoral college consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of state legislature. Indirect elections in the Council of States. Members are elected by state legislators or electoral members in the union territories. Proportional representation non-transferable voting system in Council of State elections. First-past-the-post voting system adopted in each Lok Sabha MP constituencies.
Post-independence economic development
Strong state-led economic development and state-owned enterprises. Under Nehru's rule, Indian government created a powerful planning commission, which, unlike its counterpart in communist nations, also regulated private sectors. The government-guided policies enabled India to have achieved industrialization, though often at the expenses of social inequality and environmental damages. Starting from the 1980s and especially after 1991, under the leadership of Manmohan Singh, India began moving towards economic liberalization. Government control of private sectors relaxed, along with a number of deregulation policies and eliminated price-control. Agricultural reforms. Green revolution in the late 1960s, with a strong government subsidies and intervention, turned India into a food exporter.
The Prime Minister
The PM is the head of government and leader of Council of Ministers. The PM can be a member of either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. The PM is leader in the house in which s/he is a member, and can participate in another house. The PM's responsibilities and powers include: chief administrator and link between the Council of Ministers and the President. The PM leads the Ministers collectively responsible for national policies.
The basic structure of Indian constitution
The Preamble declares that India is a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic" and is to secure its people justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Part II-IVA talks about rights of citizens and "directive principles of state policy". The following parts talks about the government structure and the relationship between Union government and state governments.
The President
The President is the Head of all three branches of government. The President has a term of five years and can be reelected. The President has a number of constitutional powers, mostly ceremonial.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has a Chief Justice and 30 other Judges appointed by the President of India. Judges serve a life term till reach retirement age of 65. The Court is vested with judicial review power to review constitutionality of laws The official language in the Supreme Court is English only.
Media in India
The booming business of print media: newspapers and magazines. Influence of movies and popular culture. TV and political participation in India New era of political participation: self-media.
India in the Jawaharlal Nehru era (1947-1964)
The first Prime Minister and he held this position till his death. His policy of democratic socialism and secularism. His foreign policies were based on "positive neutrality". (e.g., Panchsheel Treaty of five principles of peaceful coexistence with China). Nonaligned movement.
Some features of Indian constitution
The longest written constitution in the world. A federal country in structure with certain unitary features. Created by a Constituent Assembly rather than the parliament. The latter cannot void the constitution. It has a dozen of Schedules, list some details of constitutional information (e.g., states and territories, salaries of president, recognized languages, etc.)
India in the era of digital revolution
The rise of IT technology. India has developed into a strong IT technology nation Main contributing factors include: human capital (good education in English), globalization and international trade, and technological development.
Some characteristics of India democracy
The world largest democracy with relatively weak civil society. People with little education still participate in politics (e.g., political parties are required to have recognizable logos for those who do not read to vote). A comparison with Pakistan (split from the same sovereign yet went on different political systems) would be interesting for theories of democracy. Despite of its multi-ethnic and economically poor, Indian government was relatively stable and the nation has not been subject to civil war. The case of India indicates that political democratization does not necessarily associate with steady and healthy economic growth. Democracy India style is no lack of undemocratic interruptions, e.g., assassination of political leaders, personal worship and dynastic ruling families, and inequality.
Indian court system
There are 24 high courts instituted by the constitution. The high courts, along with district courts has jurisdiction over civil, family and criminal cases. The district courts are established by state governments and has jurisdiction in the states. Village courts (usually with a judge and two assessors in each court) handles petty civil and criminal cases.
The caste system and socially "untouchables"
Though the constitution guarantees equality of citizens, the "untouchables" are still in the bottom of the social stratification. They are among the poorest population, and their political rights have not been adequately addressed and represented.
