The Politics of India Fall 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 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 % 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
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