India

1. India

2. 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 (exceeds 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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 • 1984: Indira Gandhi assassinated • 1987: Invaded Sri Lanka • 1999: BJP government falls, re-elected later • 2004: Congress seizes government in Lok Sabha elections

6. 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.

7. 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

8. The Indian President • Currently PribithaPatil (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.

9. The Indian Prime Minister • Currently Manmohan Singh (since 5/2004) • Leader of majority party in Parliament • 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

10. 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) and she LOSES to Janata Party. Returned to power in 1980, assassinated by Sikh bodyguards in 1984. • Son Rajiv takes over (Sanjay had been groomed successor but died), wins 401 of 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

11. 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 Indian Parliament

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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. 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

15. 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 back to power in 1980, 351/525) • 1998-2004: The Center Holds (but with the BJP) • BJP now reasonably stable, 296/537 seats held • 2004: upset!

16. Lok Sabha Election 2004 • http://www.indian-elections.com/resultsupdate/

17. 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 Frustrations: expectations of the average Indian has risen, 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. Practice Question #1 • 1. Describe 1 example of ethnic conflict in India and a principal method used to resole 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)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.