Indian politics and society final
1. What are the five principles of "Panchsheel" (p. 234)? Do they make sense as a way to conduct foreign policy? What weaknesses might they have, or what other principles of international relations might they conflict with?
1)Mutual respect for other nations' territorial integrity and sovereignty 2)Non-aggression 3)Non-interference in internal affairs 4)Equality and mutual benefit 5)Peaceful coexistence I feel that mostly all of these policies make sense to properly run a nation. I feel that most of the nations super powers run off of these exact ideals when it comes to foreign policy
What are the two different meanings of "secularism" in Indian politics (p. 57)?
1)the principle of separation of the state from religious institutions. 2)Secularism in India means equal treatment of all religions by the state.
1975 Emergency, in reviving women's movements in India.
21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared across the country. Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution because of the prevailing "internal disturbance", the Emergency was in effect from 25 June 1975 until its withdrawal on 21 March 1977. The order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed. For much of the Emergency, most of Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned and the press was censored. Several other human rights violations were reported from the time, including a forced mass-sterilization campaign spearheaded by Sanjay Gandhi, the Prime Minister's son.
reservations (Native people)
A designated area of land that Native Indan Tribes lived on
Bilateralism
A term referring to discussions, negotiations and decisions made by two states on matters of mutual interest
Green Revolution
Agricultural revolution that increased production through improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation; helped to support rising Asian populations.
Mixed economy
An economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion.
Why might untouchables, or dalits, not consider themselves Hindu?
Because of how mistreated they were by the indian government and upper caste of their own people.
What are the five "core issues" Mitra says Indian foreign policy revolves around (p. 225)? Give examples of each.
Border & Territory disputes:(with Pakistan regarding Kashmir, and China regarding the disputed status of Arunachal Pradesh, shown as Chinese territory on Chinese maps 11 ), Water/ International rivers:(India-Pakistan, India-Nepal, and India-Bangladesh), Energy: (prospective oil pipelines to run over Iran-Pakistan-India, and/or Myanmar- Bangladesh-India), Security: particularly cross-border terrorism— and the smuggling of drugs. Drug Smuggling:particularly cross-border terrorism— and the smuggling of drugs.
What is the difference (and the relation) between caste as varna and caste as jati?
Caste as Varna:The Varna system in Dharma-shastras divides society into four varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya and Shudras). Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are ostracised as outcastes (untouchables) and considered outside the varna system. Caste as Jati:"born" or "brought into existence," and indicates a form of existence determined by birth. In Indian philosophy, jati (genus) describes any group of things that have generic characteristics in common.
What longer-term effects has Partition had on Indian Muslims?
First, there was an outflow of the target minorities due to ethnic cleansing (i.e. forced migration, religious conversion, or death). Second, there were inflows - migration from across the border by members of a local religious majority the Partition had the potential to disrupt the patterns of trade between groups and regions.
Why do you think Mitra says democracy in India "thrives but [is] fuzzy at the edges" (p. 286)? Explain your view
I feel that Mitra says this because india is really close to having set up a greatly functioning democracy but have some policies that could throw you off and make you really think is India really a true democracy.
Mitra calls India "no longer an emerging country" but "not yet finally emerged" (p. 281). What do you think he means by this, and do you agree or disagree with this assessment?
I think that Mitra means that Indian is no longer a emerging country because once India gained it's independence from Britain they were then considered a emerging country. But now that India has made huge steps like self reliance, becoming a nuclear power and lastly becoming a member of the UN just goes to show that it is no longer a emerging county but it hasn't yet finally emerged because it still has a lot of lacks in certain polices and leaders keeping the promises they make to their people and i do agree with this assessment.
Describe the main characteristics of Indian economic policy before 1991. What economic successes were achieved in this period? What failures?
Inefficiency of import substitution model (self-sufficiency), Slower rate of growth ("Hindu rate of growth"), "permit raj" inefficiency, and International borrowing without restructuring (austerity, SAPs) late 1980s. Achievements:Self-reliance elimination of famines, Green Revolution, and Avoidance (until 1990s) of international debt/foreign dependency Failures:Continuing poverty,Corruption-bribery,competitiveness in global markets, "Hindu rate of growth", and "License/permit raj".
What factors led up to economic reform and liberalization in 1991,
Inefficiency of import substitution model (self-sufficiency), Slower rate of growth ("Hindu rate of growth"),"permit raj" inefficiency, and international borrowing without restructuring (austerity, SAPs) late 1980s
What were the international vs. domestic reasons for India's nuclear tests in May 1998, and which do you think were more important?
International: Showed the world that india is a world power and is capable of building weapons of mass destruction to protect their citizens from invaders and or terrorist. Domestic: The Chinese testing of a nuclear bomb in 1964 caused anxiety in India's policy community, but the internal leadership struggles did not prove conducive to national policy making in this vital field. The fact that the nuclear 'haves' had no intention of giving up their ownership and control of these ultimate weapons of mass destruction had started making many in India question the Indian policy of nuclear disarmament.
Discuss some of the specific aspects of the economic liberalization program (p. 198).
It promotes the market rather than state, lowering bureaucratic control as the main basis of economic decision-making. Liberalization leads to the rationalization and reduction of taxes, not necessarily on income but on enterprises. In addition, it leads to the privatization of state assets, downsizing public sector undertaking (PSUs); easing rules for foreign direct investment (FDI), allowing non-residents to hold domestic financial assets, providing easier access to multinational corporations (MNCs) and to foreign commercial borrowing by domestic firms, and allowing domestic residents to hold foreign asset
when was india's first nuclear test
May 18, 1974
Describe the current socio-economic status of the Muslim community in India
Muslims in southern and western India tend to be better off than in the north. Historically, wealthier Muslims lived in western and southern states, while many of their counterparts in the north left for Pakistan during the 1947 partition of India. Anti-Muslim sentiment has also been used to win votes. For Hindu nationalists, who warn of a threat to India's Hindu heritage, religion serves as a rallying cry to gain support.
NREGA
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act...., is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.[1][2] The act was first proposed in 1991 by P.V. Narasimha Rao.[3] , it was finally accepted in the parliament and commenced implementation in 625 districts of India.
What have been the major foreign policy events associated with major leaders and parties in India?
One of the major foreign policy events associated with major leaders and parties in India was India's nuclear policy. Some leaders and parties pushed so hard for india to become a part of the nuclear arms club that it became a huge foreign policy event to become a part of the nuclear arms club. This helped establish India's strength as a competitor as a world power. Eras—aligned with leaders, parties Nehru: non-aligned, "idealistic"; 1962 China war Indira: "pro-soviet tilt," nukes, Bangladesh 1971 Rajiv: economic liberalization, Bofors corruption scandal, Sri Lanka IPKF debacle BJP: nukes, diaspora
license
Permit Raj
Positive discrimination
Preferential treatment based on the individual's class, gender, ethnicity, and so forth.
If almost 80% of India is Hindu, why might Hindus not be a dominant political majority? Explain the differences, and the relations, between the RSS, BJP, and VHP.
RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is a Hindu nationalist organization with a purported objective to uphold Hindu values and a conservative agenda. The organization has a controversial profile in India. Although it did a commendable service role during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and 2001 Gujarat earthquake, it was also alleged to be closely associated with Mahatma's assassination in 1948 and the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. It was first banned in 1948 for its suspected role in Gandhi's assasination, but was later found not responsible for the tragedy by the supreme court. BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is center-right party that is built out as the political wing of the RSS. It has its roots from Jan Sangh - a right wing party from the Nehru era that was created to counter Nehru's overt left wing ideas. VHP:The Vishva Hindu Parishad, abbreviated VHP, is an Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation based on the ideology of Hindutva. The VHP was founded in 1964 by M. S. Golwalkar and S. S. Apte
What are the "radical changes" he lists on p. 285? Do you think these are more or less important than the "defining moments" on p. 288? Explain.
Radical Changes:such as the move from Nehruvian non-alignment to engagement with major powers or for that matter, from a planned economy to one based on liberalisation and integration with the international political economy, and from a Congress system to the rule of the BJP. Defining moments:in India's post-Independence politics— the destruction of the Babri mosque in 1992, the anti-Muslim pogrom in Gujarat in 2002, the spate of terrorist attacks culminating in the 'siege' of Mumbai in 2008— all point towards these core questions.
what have been the main successes and failures of economic reform and liberalization?
Successes: Life expectancy, literacy, food security increased Better for urban than rural 2006: highest GDP growth ever at 9.6% (2nd fastest growing major economy after China 2018: world's fastest growing economy Expected for the next 3-4 years Failures:$72 billion trade deficit (imports >> exports) TINY middle class (percent vs. actual #s); high inequality (really poor vs. really rich) Definition of middle class? Poverty ongoing problem—systemic problems such as saleable skills, subsidies [legacies of pre-1991 economy]
What does he cite as—and what do you see as—the BJP government's key successes and failures?
Successes: has relaxed foreign-investment rules in more than a dozen sectors including insurance, pensions and railways, cut red tape and pushed through legislative proposals to simplify bankruptcy procedures and strengthened intellectual property rights. It has also fasttracked road building, railway and highway expansion." Failures: Betrayal of farmers due to prices of domestic produce crashing. the mishandling of Kashmir. Lack of jobs.
How did Indian non-alignment become a "pro-Soviet tilt"? Do you think the U.S. and India are 'natural' allies or partners? Why or why not?
The India-China war of 1962 caused the left faction to come out in favour of China, leading to the incarceration of their main leaders. The split was formalized in 1964 with the founding of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), commonly referred as CPM, which followed a radical, pro-Chinese line compared to the Communist Party of India (CPI) which stuck with a more moderate, pro-Congress and pro-Soviet line. U.S.-India Relations. Since India's independence, ties with the United States have weathered Cold War-era distrust and estrangement over India's nuclear program. Relations have warmed in recent years and cooperation has strengthened across a range of economic and political areas.
Explain the difference between non-alignment and neutrality.
The Non-Aligned Movement is a specific organisation founded in 1961, with a conference and a membership list of people who fight for the sake of their own nation, states, or towns ideology. Where neutrality is they'll never willingly get involved in any wars.To support this stance, they avoid signing any alliances or treaties that might otherwise commit them to getting involved in a war on behalf of anyone else.
What does the UN Security Council have to do with Indian nuclear testing? Which treaty commitments (NPT, CTBT) did India violate by testing nuclear weapons? What about China and Pakistan?
The Security Council condemned the nuclear tests conducted by India and by Pakistan in May, demanded that those countries refrain from further nuclear tests and urged them to become parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) without delay and without conditions. Calling on India and Pakistan immediately to stop their nuclear-weapon development programmes, to cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, the Council encouraged all States to prevent the export of equipment, materials or technology that could in any way assist their programmes for nuclear weapons or for ballistic missiles capable of delivering such weapons
"string of pearls"
The String of Pearls is a geopolitical theory on potential Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).[1] It refers to the network of Chinese military and commercial facilities and relationships along its sea lines of communication, which extend from the Chinese mainland to Port Sudan in the Horn of Africa Many commentators in India believe this plan, together with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other parts of China's Belt and Road Initiative under Xi Jinping, is a threat to India's national security.[2] This as such a system would encircle India[2] and threaten its power projection, trade, and potentially territorial integrity.[3] Furthermore, China's support for India's traditional enemy of Pakistan (see: Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts) and its Gwadar Port is viewed as a threat, compounded by fears that China may develop an overseas naval military base in Gwadar,[2] which could allow China to conduct expeditionary warfare in the IOR.
What about the Kashmir dispute?
The conflict started after the partition of India in 1947 as a dispute over the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and escalated into three wars between India and Pakistan.Both India and Pakistan claim the entirety of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
What factors have mitigated class conflict in India (p. 61)?
The slow pace of industrialization and urbanization has led to a highly uneven pattern of class formation, and castes, tribes, and ethnic groups that cut across class lines. Cross-cutting cleavages, the catch-all character of India's political parties and the formation of broadbased political coalitions have further mitigated the sharpness of social polarization on an enduring basi
Explain the role of the 1974 Towards Equality report,
This 1974 document is said to lay the foundation of women's movement in independent India, highlighting discriminatory socio-cultural practices, political and economic processes.
cottage industry
a business or manufacturing activity carried on in a person's home.
quota
a limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
What are legislative gender quotas? Why weren't they adopted at independence? Why are they controversial today? List some of the main arguments for and against them
are used to create equal representation among genders within legislation contribute to the promotion of gender equality, and ease the access of women into positions of government..
Permit Raj
in India: "a complex, irrational, almost incomprehensible system of controls and licenses" under which "everything needed (government) approval and a stamp."
Endogamy
marriage within the tribe, caste, or social group
bus diplomacy
proved the point that once in power extremists can become moderate. Perceptions of Vajpayee and evaluations of his foreign policy vary. But three legacies stand out. In the first place, the bomb as symbolic of the search for power has now become accepted Indian policy. The second was the opening up to Pakistan by a Hindu nationalist government through the bus diplomacy. At the time, it had come across as paradoxical, raising further questions. The third was the resolve to continue with the global economic diplomacy of the previous government.
Sangh Parivar
refers to the family of Hindu nationalist organisations which have been started by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or drew inspiration from its ideology. The Sangh Parivar represents the Hindu nationalist movement.[3] It includes the RSS and several dozen affiliated organisations, whose members' expressed opinions have been diverse over a range of topics.[4] Nominally, the different organisations within the Sangh Parivar run independently and have different policies and activities.
Hindu growth rate
the Hindu rate of growth is a term referring to the low annual growth rate of the planned economy of India before the liberalisations of 1991
Mitra notes that the Modi government has "mixed reviews" (p. 283).
the Modi government offer mixed reviews. The hiatus of expectations that the induction of the first government with a clear majority and the limited success in the formulation and implementation of a robust agenda of reforms account for the negative press.
What is the "core idea" underpinning the caste system (p. 55)?
the popular belief was framed by the dominance of cultural and religious life by the highcaste elites at the top. certain common denominators of Indian religion— the belief in reincarnation, the idea of retribution (karma), and the identification of virtue with ritual observance— influenced the masses through the social pressures of the caste system'
efficacy
the power to produce a desired result
IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force)
was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operations.The main task of the IPKF was to disarm the different militant groups, not just the LTTE. It was to be quickly followed by the formation of an Interim Administrative Council. These were the tasks as per the terms of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, signed at the behest of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Given the escalation of the conflict in Sri Lanka, and with the pouring of refugees into India, Gandhi took the decisive step to push this accord through.
