Indian Myth or Promise?
Introduction
A few months back, I wrote in “India, the US and the Anglosphere“, that India should be positioned by the US as the next global leader “just as Great Britain gracefully passed its world power status to the United States, the United States must look to do them same with India or else face decline in the face of a raising China”.
The New York Times op-ed, “The Myth of the New India” placed forward many criticism of such a promise for India, such as stating “Recent accounts of the alleged rise of India barely mention the fact that the country’s $728 per capita gross domestic product is just slightly higher than that of sub-Saharan Africa”. Indeed, the July 11th’s Mumbai bombings is a tragic reminder of the instability and security risks facing India.
Admitedly, India is not as glowing as some articles on the July/August edition of Foreign Affairs claim (indeed, some of the articles read like well crafted press releases). And while it does face many challenges in poverty and socio-economic issues, the much talked about “The Myth of the New India” NYT articles ignores three main points: 1) the large progress India has made thus far; 2) how much potential it has already shown; 3) and how much India’s political weight is growing - all this despite the economic underdevelopment that persist through most of India.
India: Not Quite Half Empty
Pankaj Mishra, who wrote “The Myth of the New India”, astutely points to several critical areas that has still dodge India despite its high-tech boom:
- Wealth Distribution - especially in Urban versus Rural (70% of India) populations
- Extensive and Deep Poverty - “nearly 380 million Indians still live on less than a dollar a day”
- Political Instability - Kashmir Issue, Religious Militants and a growing Communist Insurgency
Mishra is correct that these issues are a tremendous obstacle to the great power ambitions many increasingly confident Indians are voicing. There are other issues too, like India’s inefficient bureaucracy and its social economic system, which is considered unfriendly towards the type of more open market that is thought needed for high sustained growth.
Yet somewhere between the hope and ambition for India to become a great power and Mishra’s dire warnings, lies progress and great hope for India. Indeed, we should keep in mind that the progress it has made, in the high-tech and financial industry, despite such underdevelopment is impressive and no small feat.
Keeping Things Within Balance
While socio-economic development should ideally be uniform throughout a nation, it is often not. Issues like Rural v. Urban populations and continuing dire poverty in the face of a small, but growing, wealthy elite are real, but common problems faced buy many developing nations and characterize the struggles of many now developed Western nations.
For example, China is facing similar issues, especially as life-time employment at public factories makes way for layoffs and semi-private ownership. And the Urban versus Rural gap is evident in China, as it is in Paris compared to the surrounding banlieue and America’s urban centers in the coasts with the rural areas in the South.
Geopolitical Considerations
Mishra contends that India will not be considered a loyal ally that the United States hopes for as long as it continues making pragmatic deals with China and Iran. This maybe true, but to take this situation on a different view: Perhaps, India will show that constructive engagement between India and countries like Iran and like China are possible. To be sure, Containment is a valid strategy, but the US needs to be reminded that so is Engagement.
Myth and Promise
The essence of Mishra’s article is this: “Many serious problems confront India. They are unlikely to be solved as long as the wealthy, both inside and outside the country, choose to believe their own complacent myths.”
This is no doubt true. India’s growing elite must be confident, but never arrogant nor ignorant of the tremendous challenges that are clearly ahead of it.
India’s growing high-tech industry demonstrating that India is capable in developing their vast potential, not that they have already acheived it. Indeed, being part of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Indians should know that the IT boom of the past 20 or so years, is not even a flicker in time.
But while Mishra’s article acts as a warning to those that forget the challenge, we should also take note of the following:
If a government like China’s, an oppressive authoritarian government, is beginning to address environmental concerns and wealth distribution with some postive action (see “China - Environmentalism as a National Security Issue”) - we should hope India, the world’s largest democracy, can do even better.
“we should hope India, the world’s largest democracy, can do even better.”
well, i think the driver for investment is environment is, spare money to invest.
china could afford to do so because it is more wealthy now. india would do better, when it is richer than china.
Comment by sun bin — July 13, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
I’m curious if you ever have problems with what people post?
Comment by cracked heel causes — July 12, 2011 @ 7:15 am
The internet never used to be like that
Comment by joint pains — July 12, 2011 @ 7:15 am
And he in reality purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him..
Comment by Itchy Eye — July 18, 2011 @ 12:48 am
the lawyer identified in court
Comment by Burberry Handbags — August 5, 2011 @ 3:24 am
Good website! I truly love how it is nice on my eyes it is. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which may do the trick? Have a nice day!
Comment by jobs in nevada — August 17, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
We have gotten many great comments from our customers and earn a good reputation in foreign makerts, more than 90% customers are satisfied with our products and service, till now our online members are beyond 80,000. As of right now, we currently serve customers from over 18 countries, and we are still growing. We Cheap Christian Louboutin shoes hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.
Comment by chaussures femmes — September 3, 2011 @ 3:42 am
Don’t you acknowledge that it is high time to get the home loans, which can help you.
Comment by SolisBERYL22 — September 12, 2011 @ 9:08 am
I’ve just Simon Pegg know he’s on the list, so you never know you might get a visit.
Comment by Coach Purses Outlet — September 20, 2011 @ 6:51 am
You happen to be consequently magnificent, guy! When I simply cannot believe that My spouse and I have missed this site pertaining to way too long. That it is only excellent information at all times. Your current style and design, gentleman…at the same time astounding! My spouse and I simply cannot simply wait to learn to read what precisely you have got up coming. My spouse and I really enjoy anything that maybe you are indicating and require more, a lot more, Much more! Continue to keep this unique away, guy! It has way too excellent.
Comment by christian louboutin sale — October 28, 2011 @ 2:12 am
Wonderful publishing! You might have some sort of exuberance suitable for content rich producing. Your web blog content material consistently owns content our grandkids further than phrases and words. Available for purchase massive amount of public attention towards your personal publishing. My spouse and I take pleasure in you actually for every single remember to start with crucial suggestions in this particular intended theme.
Comment by ugg boots for men — November 4, 2011 @ 5:58 am
I am really enjoying reading your well written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work.
Comment by monster energy hats — November 18, 2011 @ 3:57 am
I really enjoyed the blog. I have just bookmarked. I am reguler visitor of your website i will share it with my friends,Thanks!
Comment by UGG Classic — November 24, 2011 @ 8:33 am
Thanks for making my morning a little bit better with this great article!!
Comment by dc shoes hats — December 7, 2011 @ 6:58 am
great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.
Comment by snapbacks cheap — December 10, 2011 @ 3:35 am
This is the best weblog for anyone who wants to know about this subject. You know a lot its virtually challenging to argue with you . You certainly place a new spin on the topic thats been composed about for many years. Fantastic things, just fantastic!
Comment by wholesale new era hats — December 12, 2011 @ 9:37 am
555yxj
Enjoy you because of your own efforts on this web site. Kim loves carrying out investigations and it’s really easy to see why. A lot of people hear all concerning the dynamic mode you offer precious guidelines via your blog and therefore cause participation from other individuals on the area plus our own princess is always becoming educated a lot. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. You are performing a good job.
Comment by Cheap Air Jordans — January 11, 2012 @ 9:30 am
Hello!come quickly to join in our site to get cheap MBT Shoes with the best quality to never let you down.
our website:
http://www.mbtstore4you.com
Comment by MBT Shoes — April 2, 2012 @ 7:16 am
welcome to my site
Comment by Louis Vuitton Italia — April 3, 2012 @ 7:53 am
welcome to my site
Comment by Louis Vuitton — April 3, 2012 @ 7:55 am
welcome to my site
Comment by borse louis vuitton — April 3, 2012 @ 7:55 am
Leopard Crystal high heels, overbearing Leopard, with a gentle, pleasant crystal, filled with luxury and noble atmosphere.
Comment by Nike Shoes NZ — September 25, 2012 @ 7:56 am
Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works.
Comment by replica birkin hermes — October 25, 2012 @ 2:09 am
Grazie per aver condiviso questo aiuta a liberare, è molto interessante leggere la pena, mi piace il tuo stile di scrittura, romperlo. Mantenere il rilascio di queste informazioni.
Comment by Abercrombie Milano — October 31, 2012 @ 8:20 am