The Politics of IndiaFall 2009

Prof Prerna Singh Children, a man, a woman and a large pig on the sidewalk in front of a CPI(M) mural (Communist Party India Marxist). Calcutta, India, 1979 or 1980.William Gedney Photographs and Writings. Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library

BBC World News: (13 May 2004): Election officials used a novel mode of transport to bring in the votes from a village in deepest Assam.

Inclusiveness in US vs. Indian Democracy

Gender

When was the first woman head of the state in the US elected?

When was the first woman head of the state in India elected?

India’s First Female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, first elected in 1966, featured on a

Soviet Stamp

Inclusiveness in US vs. Indian Democracy

Religion

• When was the first Jewish president of the US elected?

India’s President, Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

The leader of the majority party in Parliament, Sonia Gandhi

Diversity of India’s Political Leaders

Sonia & Rajiv Gandhi, Ice-cream Outing at India Gate, New Delhi, 1970s

Gandhi vs. The Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty

• Mahatma Gandhi

• Nehru• Indira Gandhi nee

Nehru• Rajiv (& Sonia)

Sanjay• Rahul ; Priyanka

Comparing Political Participation in US vs. India

• Voter turnout in US in 1952 Presidential election

• 59%• Voter turnout in US in

1976 Presidential election:

• 53% • Voter turnout in US in

2008 Presidential election:

• 58%

• Voter turnout in India’s first election in 1952

• 59% • Voter turnout in India

in 1977 National Elections:

• 65% • Voter turnout in India

in 2004 National Elections:

• 61%

Tribal women casting their vote in Andhra Pradesh.Source: Oldenburg (2007)

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy • Low Rates of Well-being

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy • Low Rates of Well-being • Low Status Equality

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy • Low Rates of Well-being • Low Status Equality • High Ethnic Diversity

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy • Low Rates of Well-being • Low Status Equality • High Ethnic Diversity • Second-largest population of Muslims

in the World

The Paradox of Indian Democracy

• Low Economic Development • Low Industrialization• Small Bourgeoisie • High Economic Inequality • Low Literacy • Low Rates of Well-being • Low Status Equality • High Ethnic Diversity • Second-largest population of Muslims • Low Social Capital/ Civil Society

So what explains the success of India’s democracy?

…Next 13 weeks.

Man and dog sleeping under a 1980 election-time wall poster of the CPI(M).William Gedney Photographs and Writings. Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and

Special Collections Library