This article compares India and the United Kingdom, highlighting the stark contrast between their land area and parliamentary representation. Despite India’s vast size, the UK’s concentrated parliamentary system effectively represents its regions. Conversely, India’s decentralized federal structure caters to the diverse needs of its vast population.
A recent chemical factory explosion in Maharashtra highlights the systemic failures in India’s labor inspection system. Despite frequent industrial accidents, poor inspection rates, and a lack of enforcement, governments are focusing on self-certification and other reforms that weaken labor protections. This article argues for a strengthened inspection system that prioritizes worker safety and holds both employers and government officials accountable.
India faces an obstacle to its economic potential: the weakness of its governance system. This shortcoming hinders the effective delivery of essential services to citizens, affecting education, healthcare, and other crucial areas. The author argues that investing in building the capacity of the Indian state is paramount to overcoming this challenge. However, political incentives and a lack of institutional support often undermine such investments. Moreover, India’s attempt to provide comprehensive welfare services despite limited fiscal capacity has led to a ‘vote bank’ politics that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term development. The author emphasizes the need for independent institutions to align politicians’ interests with public welfare, as well as the importance of strategic philanthropy that focuses on improving governance rather than just providing direct relief.
India’s democracy thrives on the notion that its elected representatives embody the people’s mandate. However, beyond educational qualifications, effective governance requires a spectrum of competencies spanning behavioral, functional, and domain-based expertise. Behavioral skills enable politicians to engage effectively with stakeholders, while functional competencies encompass a deep understanding of legislative and policymaking processes. Domain-based competencies tailor expertise to the specific needs of constituencies. To institutionalize this vision, the Karmayogi Competency Model aligns competencies with roles, identifying skill gaps and developing a comprehensive capacity-building plan. Continuous learning, access to information, and a shift in public perception towards demanding competence are crucial for the success of competency-based politics.
Hostelworld, a leading global OTA, has announced the appointment of Paul Duffy and Ulrik Bengtsson as Independent Non-Executive Directors, bolstering its strategic vision and governance structure. The company’s Annual General Meeting also saw the retirement of Michael Cawley as Chair. These appointments reflect Hostelworld’s commitment to growth, innovation, and enhancing shareholder value.
Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a negative campaign rather than engaging in a debate on issues, policies, and governance structures. He claims that the Congress is talking about equitable growth while the BJP has resorted to fear-mongering and lies.
The Capability, Accountability, and Responsiveness (CAR) framework has been influential in shaping the understanding of governance. The CAR framework consists of three key terms: capability, accountability, and responsiveness. Capability refers to the ability of a system to get things done effectively. Accountability refers to the extent to which individuals and organizations are answerable for their performance. Responsiveness refers to the extent to which a system is responsive to the needs of its stakeholders.
The CAR framework has been useful in understanding governance in developing countries, but it needs to be updated to reflect the changing landscape. The rise of middle powers, the influence of technology, and the changing nature of conflict have all had a profound impact on governance. The Pakistani elites provide a good example of a floundering nation due to its inability to find its voice and purpose in a fast-changing world.
The writer argues that there is a need for a new language for governance. The old CAR framework is no longer adequate to address the challenges of the 21st century.
