Assess the status of India as a civilisational state. Has it achieved more with being a civilisational state (coalition politics) than as a nation-state (unitary, ethno-religious state)? Critically Analyse. (200 words)
Refer – The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· Civilisational state – It cultivates coalition politics as a way to perpetuate the “unity in diversity”.
· Nation state – A form of political organization in which a group of people who share the same history, traditions, or language live in a particular area under one government.
· In contrast to some European countries or China, India has never been governed successfully in a centralised manner.
Coalition in the Indian context
· Independent India inherited a centralisation legacy from the British Raj, including the steel frame that was the ICS.
· But when the country became a full-fledged democracy, it is obligated to build coalitions again.
· Whenever PMs’ of India tried to emancipate themselves from coalitions, the quality of governance gets suffered the most.
· For example, our former PM Indira Gandhi after winning 1971 elections short-circuited the local party leaders and indulged in over-centralisation.
· She appointed docile but incompetent chief ministers who were accountable to her alone and had hardly any support base.
· Paradoxically, after a difficult transition of 10 years, India experienced more stability under coalition governments, from 1999 onwards.
India’s achievements as a civilisational state
· Some of the most difficult decisions and some of the most ambitious reforms have been implemented by coalition governments supported by more than a dozen parties since 1991.
a) Economic liberalisation, Nuclear test, 123 Agreement, India as a BRICS key member
b) Special Economic Zones Act, Right to Information Act, Lokpal Act, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act
c) Liberalisation of the FDI policy (regarding retail or financial sectors)
d) Reservation of 27 per cent seats in universities for OBCs
Benefits of Coalition politics
· It would be good for federalism and democracy because they limit concentration of power.
· Coalitions do not include parties representing only provinces, but also social groups.
· The policies of coalition governments tend to be more socially inclusive, precisely because the coalitions supporting them comprise a wider array of groups and communities.
· It recognises and promotes the country’s territorial and cultural diversity.
