Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Post-independence Indian politics was largely characterized by ‘ascriptive’ identities – caste, religion, and language – playing a dominant role in electoral outcomes and political mobilization. However, with economic liberalization initiated in 1991, India witnessed a gradual shift towards ‘developmental’ politics, where issues of economic growth, governance, and social progress gained prominence. This transition isn’t complete, but the increasing emphasis on performance-based politics and citizen aspirations marks a significant departure from the past, though old patterns continue to exert influence.
Defining Ascriptive and Developmental Politics
Ascriptive Politics refers to political mobilization and decision-making based on inherited social characteristics like caste, religion, ethnicity, or region. These identities are ascribed at birth and often dictate political allegiance. Prior to 1991, Indian politics was heavily influenced by these factors, with parties often appealing to specific caste groups or religious communities.
Developmental Politics, conversely, focuses on issues related to economic development, social progress, good governance, and citizen welfare. It prioritizes performance, efficiency, and accountability, and appeals to voters based on promises of improved living standards and opportunities.
Pre-Liberalization: Dominance of Ascriptive Politics
Before 1991, the Indian state played a significant role in regulating the economy and distributing resources. This created opportunities for patronage and clientelism, reinforcing ascriptive identities. Political parties often built their support base by appealing to specific caste groups (e.g., the Congress party’s traditional support among Brahmins and OBCs) or religious communities. The Mandal Commission (1979) and its implementation in 1990 further solidified caste-based politics. The focus was on securing reservations and benefits for specific groups rather than broad-based economic development.
Post-Liberalization: The Rise of Developmental Politics
The economic liberalization of 1991 ushered in a new era of market-driven growth and globalization. This led to several changes in the political landscape:
- Increased Middle Class: The growth of the middle class, fueled by economic liberalization, created a new electorate that prioritized economic issues and good governance.
- Rise of Regional Parties: While ascriptive identities didn’t disappear, regional parties increasingly focused on issues of regional development and economic opportunities.
- Focus on Infrastructure & Governance: Governments began to emphasize infrastructure development (e.g., the Golden Quadrilateral highway project initiated in 1998) and improvements in governance as key electoral planks.
- Shift in Electoral Discourse: Electoral campaigns started to incorporate themes of economic growth, job creation, and improved public services. The “India Shining” campaign of 2004, though unsuccessful, exemplified this trend.
Evidence of the Shift
| Pre-1991 | Post-1991 |
|---|---|
| Dominance of caste-based and religious appeals | Increasing emphasis on economic issues and governance |
| Patronage and clientelism | Focus on infrastructure development and economic reforms |
| Limited focus on performance and accountability | Growing demand for transparency and accountability |
| Welfare schemes primarily targeted at specific castes | Universal welfare schemes like MGNREGA (2005) alongside targeted programs |
Persistent Challenges
Despite the shift towards developmental politics, ascriptive identities continue to play a significant role in Indian politics. Caste and religion still influence voting behavior, and political parties often resort to identity-based mobilization during elections. Issues of social justice and inequality remain pressing, and the benefits of economic growth have not been evenly distributed. Furthermore, the rise of identity politics, sometimes fueled by social media, poses a challenge to the consolidation of developmental politics.
Conclusion
The transition from ascriptive to developmental politics in India is an ongoing process. While economic liberalization has undoubtedly led to a greater emphasis on economic issues and governance, ascriptive identities continue to exert influence. The future of Indian politics will likely depend on the ability of political parties to address both economic aspirations and social concerns, fostering inclusive growth and ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all citizens. A sustained focus on good governance, transparency, and accountability is crucial for consolidating the gains made in developmental politics.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.