India
India













1/3 the size of the United States
Population: 1.13 billion (800/sq. mi.)—doubled in past 30 years
Life expectancy: 62.4 yrs. (33% of population is 14 or younger)
Religions: Hinduism 81% Islam 12% Christianity 2%
Federal system in theory
Literacy: 65% Men, 34% women
GDP: $3,800/person (increased greatly in last 5 years)—but overall $2.2
Trillion (ties UK). #6 economy in the world
Middle class 200 Million people, #6 nation to launch rockets/communication
satellites
Net food exporter (!)—67% of people in agriculture
Exports: software, locomotives, diesel engines, jt aircraft, computer
software. Insources customer service jobs.
Old British system of Indian Civil Service became IAS—Indian Administrative
Services. About 4,000 people/ 13 million civil servants. Examinations and
interviews are difficult
Population—voluntary sterilization programs for men, offered free transistor
radios
500,000 in India make their living by emptying chamber pots
Hinduism







3000 castes/subcastes
Main castes: Brahmans (priests), Shatriyas
(warriors), Vaisyas (traders/merchants),
Sudras (serfs), and Dalits (untouchables)
Untouchability eliminated by 1950
Constitution
Each has its own rules for marriage, general
behavior, even eating
Life on Earth miserable, afterlife desired.
Material things are an illusion
Believe in reincarnation—even into animals
(Maharaja Mac)
India History








Indus Valley civilization begins about 4000-2500 BC
Muslim incursions begin around year 1000
Mogul Dynasty (1526) founded by Turkish descendant
of Genghis Khan, Emperor Akbar a rare effective
exception of a week dynasty
1599: British East India Company established
1757: Bengali army defeated by Clive at Plassey—
British domination recognized in 1763 Treaty of Paris
(British and allies defeat French and Allies—a true world
war)
By 1840, most of subcontinent in British hands
1857--Sepoy mutiny, Britain assumes direct control in
1858. The cursed Enfield rifle and its cow and pig
grease!
Less than 100,000 British rule 300 Million Indians—fuel
for sociologists like Spencer
Modern Indian History
















1885: Indian National Congress formed, orignally loyal but wanted more
representation. 1906—endorsed swaraj (independence).
Mahatma Gandhi emerges, 1920
1942: Sir Stafford Cripps pledges independence
1947: Independence for India and Pakistan (partition)
1948: Gandhi killed
1950: Constitution in effect (Jan. 26)
1962: Conflict with China
1971: Pakistan CW, War with Pakistan, Bangladesh created
1974: India acquires nuclear weapons
1975-77: State of Emergency initiated by Indira Gandhi
1977: First non-Congress government elected
1979: Indira Gandhi and Congress return to power
1984: Indira Gandhi assassinated by own Sikh bodyguards (Punjab
problem). Succeeded by son, Rajiv.
1987: India invaded Sri Lanka
1999: BJP government falls, re-elected later
2004: Congress seizes government back in Lok Sabha elections
The Indian Political System








Federal Republic w/ Parliamentary system, but states have little
real independence
Mostly free, competitive elections but fraught with violence,
dirty deeds
Elections have been suspended due to violence
PM has dictatorial powers compared to liberal democracies
Vast majority of Indians lead a preindustrial lifestyle
Caste system slowly dying, but still there, racial and ethnic
minorities still not completely protected
Strong family ties—nepotism
Single member district system—works to advantage of large
parties (Congress won in 1952, 57, 62, 67, 71). Won majority
of seats but not nationwide popular majority.
The Indian Constitution






Longest in the world; 395 articles, 8 schedules and 40
amendments!c250 articles come directly from 1935
Government of India Act
Part XVIII—Emergency Provisions: Used in 1962 Chinese
invasion, allowed “Defense of India Act,” which permits
detaining dangerous individuals (US Patriot Act)
After 1977, “State of Emergency” clause tightened up
Contains a Bill of Fundamental Rights that are guaranteed and
enforceable by Courts—like US, not UK
42nd Amendment (1976, passed 366-4 and 191-0, ratified by
state legislatures, and received Presidential assent): Socialist
Republic, affirmed power of state to eliminate subversion,
fundamental duties clause ( defend country, promote social
harmony, strive towards excellence!)
President must follow Council of Advisors, not just listen,
Amendments cannot be questioned by Courts. Later repealed
to allow President to ask Council to reconsider, anti-nationalist
provisions repealed too
The Indian President








Currently Pribitha Patil (2007)
Elected for 5 year term (up in 2007) by electoral
college of both houses of Parliament and state
legislatures. Narayayan (first Dalit) got 90% of
Parliament vote in 1997
“Appoints” Prime Minister
Can declare state of emergency (in consultation with
Council of Ministers, must be armed external
aggression) and rule by decree
Can dissolve Parliament
Commander-in-Chief of armed forces
Appoints State Governors and Supreme Court Justices
Vice-President is next in succession, is head of upper
house of Parliament (like US Veep), election in 6 mos.
The Indian Prime Minister





Currently Manmohan Singh (since 5/2004)
Leader of majority party in Lok Sabha
PMs appoint and oversee the Council of Ministers (45
members, must be MP or win a by-election, 15 meet
formally as an “inner cabinet”)
Personality Cult following
Trouble with stability until 1998
The Gandhi Saga






Most famous: Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv (both assassinated), Indira
tried to expand powers
Indira violated election laws in 1975, declared state of emergency.
Congress members bolt, but Communist Party keeps her in power.
1977 election (low inflation, good economy) but Congress LOSES to Janata
Party. Returned to power in 1979, assassinated by Sikh bodyguards in 1984
over martial law declaration.
Son Rajiv takes over (Sanjay had been groomed successor but died), wins
401 seats and over 50% of vote
November 1989: Janata Dal party under V.P. Singh wins 143 seats
(Congress 197 but no coalition)
May 1991: Rajiv Gandhi assassinated on campaign trail, and Narasim Rao
takes over as PM after Congress wins a seat plurality
Indian Parliament









Lok Sabha (House of the People) (545):
Single member districts
525 from states, 18 from union
territories, 2 Anglo-Indian seats
(appointed)
1.8 million/seat
Neutral speaker, MONEY BILLS START
HERE
Candidates must file nomination papers
and put down a deposit, returned if they
receive 1/6 of the vote or more
5 year term, but can be dissolved by
President on advice of PM
Must meet twice a year, no more than 6
mos between sessions
50 members can introduce a motion of
censure—if it passes, Cabinet must resign





Raja Sabha (House of
States) (250):
Upper house
Elected by State
legislatures
12 appointed by President
to represent professions,
sciences, arts
Fixed 6-year staggered
terms
The Indian Legislative Process





Any bill other than a money bill can be
introduced in either house
3 readings of bill: title, committee
decision/debate, formal vote
Must pass both chambers; disagreements
between versions are ironed out. If not,
President can call for a special joint session of
Parliament—majority vote
President can refuse to give his assent, but if
the bill goes back and is passed again, he must
give his assent.
Most debates in English or Hindi
Indian Judiciary






Supreme Court: 26 justices interpret Constitution and
arbitrating state disputes or federal/state disputes
Justices appointed by President with consultation by
members of the Court and state courts
Normally most senior justice becomes Chief Justice,
but Indira Gandhi broke that tradition
Does have judicial review
Judges stay in office until 65
Broke huge bribery scandal in 1996
Indian Political Parties





BJP—Bharatiya Janata Party: Campaigns for “Hinduness,” has
been moderated under Vajpayee. Right of center, favors less
regulation, party of upwardly mobile middle class, favors
foreign capital
Congress (I)—Indian National Congress, performed weakly in
1998 elections but came back strong. 5 year plans, actually
socialist but let private sector operate and flourish. Also favors
social reform, mildly left of center. Several splits based on
ideology
Communist Party—actually 2 types, Marxist and non-Marxist,
popular near Chinese border, states of Kerala and West Bengal
had/have the world’s first democratically elected Communist
governments
Lok Dal—farmer’s party
Regional: DMK and AIADMK for Tamil autonomy, Akali Dal for
Sikhs, BSP for dalits
Stages of Indian
Political Party Strength






1952-1977: Domination by Congress
EX: 1971 won 41% of vote, 67% of seats
1977-1998: The Center Does Not Hold (cyclical
Congress domination, Indira Gandhi back to
power in 1980, 351/525)
1998-2004: The Center Holds (but with the
BJP). BJP reasonably stable, 296/537 seats held
2004: BJP upset in election by Congress
2009: Congress wins landslide
Lok Sabha Elections
Indian Political Culture














Most prominent: Dominant state system, Village society
Two groups: rapidly growing “Wanna-be Western elite” vs. largely illiterate
masses clinging to old way of life
56-63% vote in elections, candidates use TV and pictures (even appear on
ballot). Secret ballot, generally works well. 75% of women vote. Illiteracy
rate leads to creative campaigning.
27-47 members of the Lok Sabha have been female in recent years
Violence due to caste/economic problems and relations
Rising Frustration: expectations have risen, citizens demand more
Domination by certain families/almost like elected nepotism!
Media well respected throughout the world, extensive newspaper, television
coverage
Strong bureaucracy and belief in it—IAS came from British
The Challenges of Modernization:
Growth of a middle class
Growth of technical industries and outsourced jobs
Treatment of women and girls
Medical technology and growing gender imbalance of babies
Indian Interest Groups






Not like Western Europe or U.S., but unions do exist—largest
one (BMS) is linked to BJP
Indian Naional Congress also created the “National Indian
Trade Union Congress”—interesting, would this work in U.S.?
(Creation of union by party)
12 million unionized trade workers
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry—
business group with 40,000 enterprises as members. Favors
more conservative wings of parties
Some business owners created Forum for Free Enterprise
(Swatantra Party) to shape more favorable public attitudes
towards business
Keep in mind the Constitution endorses socialism as official
policy
Indian Foreign Policy



Major regional power, yet many argue it
is below its international potential
Nehru put India in Commonwealth, US
had closer relations with Pakistan
during CW
Kashmir dispute w/ Pakistan (and to a
smaller extent, China)
Kashmir
Conflict and warfare between Pakistan and India since
independence, Muslim majority state but part of India,
not Pakistan
 Muslim-Hindu warfare within the area
 India and Pakistan 1998 nuclear tests
 Fighting intensified after 9/11
 12/13 bombing didn’t help
 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks

Practice Question #1








1. Describe 1 example of ethnic conflict in India and a
principal method used to resolve it. Do the same with
Russia, post-1991. Assess the effectiveness of the
government’s response in both situations.
Examples of dealing with conflict:
Secret Police/jailing/execution/exile
Use of troops
Federal system mitigates conflict
Partitioning
Legal system
Cultural institutions (schools, religion)
Practice Question #2










The recruitment of elites is important in any political
system. List and discuss factors that effect elite
recruitment in India.
Ethnicity
Party Affiliation
Region
Education
Charisma
Gender
Social Status or caste or wealth
Government/Military positions, offices, and experience
Patron-client relationships
Learning Objectives
After mastering the concepts presented in this chapter, you will be able to:

Understand the key moments of the historical formation of India.

Discuss the role that the United Kingdom played in shaping and
influencing Indian history, politics and society. Assess the impact of
colonialism on the formation of Indian state.

Recognize the importance of complex ethnic society, linguistic and cast
challenges in process of understanding of Indian politics and society.
Define the following: Dalits, Jati, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Bharmits, Sudra

Discuss the convoluted evolution of Indian politics.

Comprehend the development of Nehru-Gandi political doctrinism and
mixed ideological spectrum of the liberated India.

Understand the evolution of Indian state in 20th century and define
key elements of revolutions and fights for independence in India.
Briefly discuss the role of the following leaders: Jawaharlal Nehru,
Mohandas Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi
Learning Objectives
After mastering the concepts presented in this chapter, you will be able
to:

Define Indian geography and current economic challenges.

Understand the process of political, economic and social
developments of India.

Discuss the elements of Indian state formation and functionality.

Define the after-Gandhi progress of Indian state and society.

Understand the specifications of Indian political culture and
participation.

Define the role of political parties in Indian politics. Define and
understand the ideology if the following: Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), Indian National Congress

Understand the challenges of democratization in India.

Comprehend the challenging process of the development of Indian
market economy.
India Objectives (final)

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Describe significant characteristics of Indian demography and geography
Explain poverty in the Indian context
Explain how British imperialism helped create India as a state and Indian
government
Describe how the Indian independence movement differed from other anticolonial movements
Describe the dominance of the Congress Party
Explain how politics and governance changed after 1989
Describe the political tensions between secularists and Hindu
“fundamentalists”
Assess the legitimacy of the Indian regime
Describe the role of the BJP in current politics
Explain why the elections of 2004 and 2009 are politically significant
Describe similarities and differences between the British and Indian regimes
Generalize about the Indian policy responses to communal violence in
border regions
Explain the role of economic liberalization in promoting economic growth