Political and Civil Society in India's Welfare Trajectory

Abstract

In this article, a historical institutional approach is applied to study the Indian welfare trajectory. The aim is to understand which reproduction pattern possibly inhibited the constitutional call for adequate standards of living and welfare for India's citizens. Partha Chatterjee's concept of political and civil society forms a plausible reproduction mechanism, which offers a new explanation for the development of highly fragmented social policies. As a consequence of this mechanism, existing inequalities were perpetuated rather than overcome. However, the recent shift to rights-based social protection may challenge this pattern and allow for greater social policy change in the future.

Diferentes percepções sobre a responsabilidade social corporativa em empresas líderes do Brasil e da Índia

“…Dubochet (2012) points out that in recent decades, Indian civil society has increased its interaction with the state. However, according to Ehmke (2011), it is still formed by few people, which creates a context of reproduction of social injustices. The Indian political system has been shaped by the influence of a long period of colonisation, followed by independence and market liberalisation in 1991 that have led India to political and economic changes.…”

“…It appears that Indian civil society is also characterised by a lack of linkages between its actors, which undermines its power to affect change. Ehmke (2011) states that in India, only a small number of citizens are culturally equipped to form civil society. According to Bussell (2010), corruption is a major source of funding for Indian election campaigns.…”

Cultures of Entitlement and Social Protection: Evidence from Flood Prone Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India

“…Transformative social protection based on social contracts between citizens and states, that transforms conditions of underlying vulnerabilities and poverty is advocated (Devereux et al 2011, Devereux andLund, 2010;Chopra and te lintel, 2011;Tessitore, 2011;Ehmke, 2011;Sabates-Wheeler and Koehler, 2011;Sabates-Wheeler and Devereux, 2007). ILO's 189 member countries unanimous adoption of social protection floors on 14th June 2012 is a significant step in that direction and is hailed as a new global social contract (Durojaye, 2015, Ginneken, 2011.…”

Ideas in the Indian Welfare Trajectory

“…This lead to multiple beneficiary groups of welfare provision, which tended to organise along target group lines. Yet, even when programmes were universal in spirit, they often profitted groups with more voice and better political ties rather than the poorest (Ehmke 2011a). Social policy was an ad hoc instrument for groups that were able to stage a political voice for their needs (Gosh 2004: 293f).…”