LPG & Human Security

7/29/2019 LPG & Human Security

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Attitudinal data on humansecurity in India:Complicating the discussion on

freedom from want.[SDSA data set 2005]

Peter Ronald deSouzaCentre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi.

NTS Inaugural Meeting, Singapore 8-9 Jan 2007.

Organized by IDSS, NTU Singapore.


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The big Question: What is the relationshipbetween Democracy and poverty?

Sen - There are no famines in democracies. Butwhat about persistent and pervasive hunger andmalnutrition?Zakaria Using the study ofPrzerworski andLimongihe writes it is calculated that in ademocratic country that has a per capita income ofunder $1500 (in todays dollars) the regime has alife expectancy of just eight years. With between$1500 and $3000 it survived on an average forabout eighteen years. Above $6000 it became

highly resilient. (p69)Is India a resilient democracy? What does massdemocracy do to widespread poverty?


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Indias Human DevelopmentIndicators (Source HDR 2006).

Life expectancy at birth: .. 63.6

Adult literacy rate 2004: .. 61.

Combined gross school enrolment ratio: . 62.

GDP per capita (PPP US$) 2004: . 3139.

Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live birth): . 62

Prevalence of T.B (per 1 lakh popln): 312.

Undernourished ratio: . 20.

Popln living under $1 a day: . 34.7

Access to improved sanitation: urban 15

rural. 61

HDI Rank: 126


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Liberalization, privatization andglobalization (LPG) in India since 1990s.

Fiscal and economic reforms resulting in impressive inflow ofFII, FDI and growing role of MNCs in economy.M&As. Considerable dilution of MRTP. Booming privatesector esp. IT and Pharma with investments overseas.Opening up of natural resources to Foreign investment.

Decrease in role of public sector in core areas such astelecoms, air travel, steel, defense production, etc.Growth of private players in services such as electricityproduction and distribution, health services, education, etc.Setting up of SEZs.Growth of big international players in retailing.

Entry of corporates in agriculture.Decline in power of labour movement.1990-2003 growth 5.9% (Source World Bank Report 2005).Poverty Ratio (1990s --- 38.9%) in (2000 --- 26.1%).


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Major political events andprocesses of the last few years.

Farmers suicides because of indebtedness (inthousands)Huge protests against natural resource policy inOrissa, (Kalinganagar) Jharkhand (peoplescurfew), and Chattisgarh.Widespread public outcry against SEZs.Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, U.P, Goa.Major population migrations to urban centres.Demolition of slums for beautification of cities.

Increased naxalite insurgency with concomitantincrease in CSA.Highly competitive party system and coalitiongovernments at the Centre and in many states.Judicial activism.


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But how do the People perceivetheir own situation under LPG.

On a 10 pt scale from poor to rich 92% placed themselves inthe bottom half of the scale. (64% bottom 3 rungs)

63% felt that household income does not cover needs and

that there are (great) difficulties.

But only 28% (very) dissatisfied with their householdeconomic condition.

And only 18% felt that their household economic conditionhad become (much) worse compared to past.

And only 9% felt that their household economic conditionwould become (much) worse in the future.


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How do the People perceive thecountrys situation under LPG.

53% (very) satisfied with economic condition of country.

66% feel economic condition has become (much) bettercompared to few years ago.

74% feel that economic condition of country will becomebetter.

Is this support for LPG?

Is it illustrative of Gramscian hegemony or more cynically ofMoscas political formula?


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Peoples attitudes to LPG policies.

84% disapprove of privatization of public sector.70% feel govt. employees should not be reduced.85% feel supply of electricity should be by public as againstprivate sector.83% feel hospital services should be by public as against

private sector.81% feel schools should be by public as against privatesector.72% feel bus services should be by public as against privatesector.63% support a ceiling on income and wealth to reduce

differences between rich and poor.62% oppose entry of foreign companies because they exploitus.Is this overwhelming support for the Nehruvian state?


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Disjunction between public attitudesand government policy.

Public preference for greater role of state ineconomic activity whereas economic policiesmoving in opposite direction. In a democracywhose views are to prevail elite or mass? Do theelite know better?

Mismatch between subjective perceptions andobjective economic conditions. (ref HDI). Is there alow threshold of expectation and satisfaction?

Increasing optimism of future (result of LPG) butwant Nehruvian state (anti-LPG). How are theseto be reconciled?


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New probings: State of the Nationsurvey (CSDS_CNN_IBN- Jan 2007).

Questions on SEZ.

Questions on Farmers suicides.

Questions on ICDS.

Questions on government hospitals.

Questions on migration abroad.

Employment preference Govt or Pvt sector.

Questions on household econ condition.


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Democracy and human security.

Growing underclass. Two sections among thepoor, those moving upward and those movingdownwards.Democracy and LPG results in both trickle downand sucking up. We need to think about thesizeable underclass.Under liberalization the state must commit itself towelfarist policies as core principle not simply asstrategic calculus. e.g. NREGS, RTI.Global culture of consumption has the impact ofdepoliticizing the middle classes.While there is elite capture of state there are also.. two Indias, with irreconcilable interests,emerging?


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Thank you

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LPG & Human Security