From Democratic Socialism to Neo- Liberalism: The Story of Indiaí s Democracy
Description
The farmers of the Constituteion had a vision of what society, economy and culture they wished to create and this was comprehensively articulatted in the Constitution. The Preamble of the Constitution promised to all citizens, "equality, fratenity and justice". The means adopted were socialism and secularism. Restrictions were placed on ownership of material assets. Land reforms were initatied. Special provisions for the waker sections were inserted. Untouchibility and bonded labour were abolished. Zamindari system was given up. Five year plans were aimed at state intervention to reduce the gap between the haves and the havenots. Secularism became the religion of the state to avoid all prejudices and discrimination based on religion. State was promised on reason. What has happened to that vision? With the state adopting the economics of neo-liberalism, the focus on planning has changed. The state has come to promote private property, encourage free enterprise and provide impetus to privatization and liberalization. This has resulted in inequaligy, volaitily in finincial markets and envoirnmental deterioration. India has lost contorol of its economy which has shifted to more powerful countries, multinational firms and international finincial institution. National soverginty has progressevely and systematically been undermined. The counry has experienced extreme nationalism, populism, xenophobia and emergence of fundamentalism. Unemployment has underminded social welfare, insecurity has caused sectarian voilence and ethnic irrdentism. There has been a proferation of conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruciton, Political crises continue unabated. There are new security threats streaming from and compunded by dificient energy and water supplies, terrorism, environmental impacts such as global warming. There is resistance to new-liiberalism. People are looking for an alternative system of human existance with distructive justice. Ordanary people are struggling in sharp contrast to the existing world of inequality, division and lack of employment opportunities and liberty, towards a world of equality, community and freedom. The search is for an alternative system similar to "Swaraj", with focus on the local with a sense of internationalism. Economy that is controlled by the state an now by the corporations has failed. The globe is yearning for an economy that is managed by the people and the workplace and the community as they live in the midst of earth's resources.
Features
- : From Democratic Socialism to Neo- Liberalism: The Story of Indiaí s Democracy
- : Ambrose Pinto
- : 9789382396123
- : 2014
- : 279pp
- : English
