Democratic Politics and Economic Reform in India (Contemporary South Asia, Series Number 5)

Successive Indian governments have remained committed to market-oriented reform since its introduction in 1991. In a well-argued and controversial examination of the political dynamics that underlie that commitment, Jenkins challenges existing theories of the relationship between democracy and economic liberalization. He contends that while democracy and liberalization are no longer considered incompatible, the new thinking emphasizes the wholesome aspects of democracy, downplaying the temptations of populism and its reliance on obfuscatory tactics in defusing political resistance. In fact, the author argues, it is through such political maneuvering that democracy survives. Successive Indian governments, from right and left, have remained committed to market-oriented reform since its introduction in 1991. In a well-argued, accessible and sometimes controversial examination of the political dynamics which underlie that commitment, Rob Jenkins challenges existing theories of the relationship between democracy and economic liberalisation. He contends that while democracy and liberalisation are no longer considered incompatible, theorizing over-emphasizes democracy's more wholesome aspects while underestimating its practioners'reliance on obfuscating tactics to defuse political resistance to policy shifts. By focusing on formal political systems, existing research ignores the value of informal institutions. In India it is these institutions which have driven economic elites towards negotiation, while allowing governing elites to divide the opponents of reform through a range of political tactics. In fact, the author argues, it is precisely through such political manoeuvring that democracy survives. Successive Indian governments, from right and left, have remained committed to market-oriented reform since its introduction in 1991. In a well-argued, accessible and sometimes controversial examination of the political dynamics which underlie that commitment, Rob Jenkins challenges existing theories of the relationship between democracy and economic liberalisation. He contends that while democracy and liberalisation are no longer considered incompatible, theorizing over-emphasizes democracy's more wholesome aspects while underestimating its practioners' reliance on obfuscating tactics to defuse political resistance to policy shifts. By focusing on formal political systems, existing research ignores the value of informal institutions. In India it is these institutions which have driven economic elites towards negotiation, while allowing governing elites to divide the opponents of reform through a range of political tactics. In fact, the author argues, it is precisely through such political manoeuvring that democracy survives Takes issue of the relationship between democracy and economic liberalization. Examines the roles of formal institutions such as party and electoral systems, federalism, and the value of informal political institutions This book takes issue with existing theories of the relationship between democracy and economic liberalisation 'India has fundamentally altered its development strategy', the World Bank announced in 1996.