Comments on: India Leadership http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Tue, 22 May 2012 00:47:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jeff http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-18001 Jeff Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:56:31 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-18001 When I think of Indian government, I am reminded of Vogans in the movie <i>The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy</i>. Endless bureaucracy, everything in triplicate, signed off by 14 people. One of the major reasons for the success of call centers and telecommunications in India was because they couldn't make laws fast enough to get the red tape in place. These first mover companies therefore had an opportunity that the established businesses didn't have. This still remains a major impediment to new foreign businesses in India. In the PBS documentary about the "Killing Fields" in India where farmers were committing suicide because of inability to pay loan sharks, I was reminded again of the towering Bureaucracy. People were given lip-service that help was coming, but nothing really ever happened. I know with such a diverse population, it's probably smart to go slow and steady rather than quickly and risk upsetting people, but it does slow down progress. When I think of Indian government, I am reminded of Vogans in the movie The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Endless bureaucracy, everything in triplicate, signed off by 14 people. One of the major reasons for the success of call centers and telecommunications in India was because they couldn’t make laws fast enough to get the red tape in place. These first mover companies therefore had an opportunity that the established businesses didn’t have. This still remains a major impediment to new foreign businesses in India.

In the PBS documentary about the “Killing Fields” in India where farmers were committing suicide because of inability to pay loan sharks, I was reminded again of the towering Bureaucracy. People were given lip-service that help was coming, but nothing really ever happened.

I know with such a diverse population, it’s probably smart to go slow and steady rather than quickly and risk upsetting people, but it does slow down progress.

]]> By: Chase Janvrin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17841 Chase Janvrin Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:14:49 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17841 At the risk of sounding anti-democracy, I can't help but compare the effectiveness of the governments of the US, India, and China. While India, much like the US, frequently gets bogged down in bureaucratic paperwork and loopholes (um, hello health care reform), China seems to power forward, focused intently on progress. At this point it sounds like Indian government is just an even bigger, even more bloated government than the US or Britian. In my mind politicians have two purposes; to represent, and to lead. These often are conflicting ideals. I wonder if we're on the verge of a new political system, a hybrid of sorts. Imagine leaders having the power and freedom to lead progress, instead of trying to appease each and every constituent. All the while still adhering to the values of the people. The values and needs of the people: a peopleocracy. I wonder who can achieve this first. At the risk of sounding anti-democracy, I can’t help but compare the effectiveness of the governments of the US, India, and China. While India, much like the US, frequently gets bogged down in bureaucratic paperwork and loopholes (um, hello health care reform), China seems to power forward, focused intently on progress. At this point it sounds like Indian government is just an even bigger, even more bloated government than the US or Britian. In my mind politicians have two purposes; to represent, and to lead. These often are conflicting ideals. I wonder if we’re on the verge of a new political system, a hybrid of sorts. Imagine leaders having the power and freedom to lead progress, instead of trying to appease each and every constituent. All the while still adhering to the values of the people. The values and needs of the people: a peopleocracy. I wonder who can achieve this first.

]]> By: Catherine Kristensen http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17807 Catherine Kristensen Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:17:08 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17807 40 political parties seems like a lot! Until you realize that this number just reflects the number of recognized political parties. According to Wikipedia, there are an additional 730 registered unrecognized parties. Political gridlock is right! What a great metaphor, Kirk. In America, our two primary political parties are visually representing by a donkey and an elephant. I find it interesting that each of the recognized political parties in India also have their own symbol. Not surprisingly, the elephant is the symbol for one of their parties as well (Bahujan Samaj Party). Many of the symbols are animals, following the American tradition, such as the lion or cock. But some of some of the other symbols are a little obscure, including: - mango - umbrella - conch - bicycle - chair - ladder - lightbulb - spectacles (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recognised_political_parties_in_India) 40 political parties seems like a lot! Until you realize that this number just reflects the number of recognized political parties. According to Wikipedia, there are an additional 730 registered unrecognized parties. Political gridlock is right! What a great metaphor, Kirk.

In America, our two primary political parties are visually representing by a donkey and an elephant. I find it interesting that each of the recognized political parties in India also have their own symbol. Not surprisingly, the elephant is the symbol for one of their parties as well (Bahujan Samaj Party). Many of the symbols are animals, following the American tradition, such as the lion or cock.

But some of some of the other symbols are a little obscure, including:
- mango
- umbrella
- conch
- bicycle
- chair
- ladder
- lightbulb
- spectacles

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recognised_political_parties_in_India)

]]> By: Kirk Story http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17686 Kirk Story Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:04:38 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17686 Andre's initial article is informative and objective. After reading the responses of my fellow classmates, I am impressed by their comments on the Union government. Alex made an astute point that, "The first American and Indian leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. Perhaps as Indians become more familiar with democracy, they too will have direct elections to the Rajya Sabha." I agree with this statement, but also feel that the current, along with the first, American leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. The US electoral college remains as an archaic hindrance to unlimited democracy. Jason made the point that India has approximately 40 political parties. This reality has resulted in political gridlock, similar to what we are seeing in the US legislative body at present. I personally feel the US would benefit from a multi-party system requiring coalition building to pass initiatives undemanding of partisan polarity. Jay's post regarding the “vast armies of paper-shuffling peons,” is significant. Conceivably, India would pull far greater international weight if it's government behaved as a more cohesive and productive unit. Again, I speak as an outsider for my country's representative body does not stand on "cohesive and productive" higher-ground. Andre’s initial article is informative and objective. After reading the responses of my fellow classmates, I am impressed by their comments on the Union government.

Alex made an astute point that, “The first American and Indian leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. Perhaps as Indians become more familiar with democracy, they too will have direct elections to the Rajya Sabha.” I agree with this statement, but also feel that the current, along with the first, American leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. The US electoral college remains as an archaic hindrance to unlimited democracy.

Jason made the point that India has approximately 40 political parties. This reality has resulted in political gridlock, similar to what we are seeing in the US legislative body at present. I personally feel the US would benefit from a multi-party system requiring coalition building to pass initiatives undemanding of partisan polarity.

Jay’s post regarding the “vast armies of paper-shuffling peons,” is significant. Conceivably, India would pull far greater international weight if it’s government behaved as a more cohesive and productive unit. Again, I speak as an outsider for my country’s representative body does not stand on “cohesive and productive” higher-ground.

]]> By: Jay Ponto http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17652 Jay Ponto Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:53:14 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17652 "The Economist" describes India's central government as "an army of clerks." The article goes on to say that "India's central government employs around 3 [million] civil servants and then states another 7 [million]," with these workers being referred to as "vast armies of paper-shuffling peons." The article also classifies India's bureaucrats as some of the hardest working in the world, yet they fail to do a substantial job at serving their citizens (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10804248&source=login_payBarrier). Unfortunately, issues like corruption still greatly trouble the Indian government. Much development spending does not reach the intended purposes, and is siphoned off by inefficient and dishonest individuals along the way. Though Prime Minister Singh promised reform throughout the Indian government in 2004, it seems that more work will be necessary to construct a more efficient democracy. “The Economist” describes India’s central government as “an army of clerks.” The article goes on to say that “India’s central government employs around 3 [million] civil servants and then states another 7 [million],” with these workers being referred to as “vast armies of paper-shuffling peons.” The article also classifies India’s bureaucrats as some of the hardest working in the world, yet they fail to do a substantial job at serving their citizens (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10804248&source=login_payBarrier).

Unfortunately, issues like corruption still greatly trouble the Indian government. Much development spending does not reach the intended purposes, and is siphoned off by inefficient and dishonest individuals along the way. Though Prime Minister Singh promised reform throughout the Indian government in 2004, it seems that more work will be necessary to construct a more efficient democracy.

]]> By: Jason Silver http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17530 Jason Silver Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:10:04 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17530 The US government and the Union government of India are structured very similarly. However there are certain aspects of the political landscape which are completely different. In America, the major political stalwarts have been the Democrats and the Republicans. Most of the citizenry from states around the union affiliate themselves with these two. India however has at least 40 from what I can count. This can create vastly different opinions on certain public policy issues and can certainly lead to confusion and political chaos if parties cannot agree. It will be interesting to see how the political structure of India plays a role in its continued economic development. The US government and the Union government of India are structured very similarly. However there are certain aspects of the political landscape which are completely different. In America, the major political stalwarts have been the Democrats and the Republicans. Most of the citizenry from states around the union affiliate themselves with these two. India however has at least 40 from what I can count. This can create vastly different opinions on certain public policy issues and can certainly lead to confusion and political chaos if parties cannot agree. It will be interesting to see how the political structure of India plays a role in its continued economic development.

]]> By: Alex Thornton http://calpolymbatrip.com/2009/china/india-leadership/#comment-17288 Alex Thornton Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:34:35 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/?p=1825#comment-17288 The Indian legislative branch, specifically the Rajya Sabha, looks similar to the early American legislative branch. The United States Senate initially was formed of senators elected by state legislators, not the people. The first American and Indian leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. Perhaps as Indians become more familiar with democracy, they too will have direct elections to the Rajya Sabha. The Indian legislative branch, specifically the Rajya Sabha, looks similar to the early American legislative branch. The United States Senate initially was formed of senators elected by state legislators, not the people. The first American and Indian leaders seem hesitant to grant unlimited democracy to the people. Perhaps as Indians become more familiar with democracy, they too will have direct elections to the Rajya Sabha.

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