Are politics in India becoming less dynastic?
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In 2011, the well-known historian, Patrick French, wrote and released a book which offered revealing data regarding the hold that lineage and family has had on Indian politics. The text, ‘India: A Portrait’, suggested that if the trend continued, India could be seen to slide backwards in progression to days when the country was ruled by a single hereditary monarch and various princes.
In 2011, the well-known historian, Patrick French, wrote and released a book which offered revealing data regarding the hold that lineage and family has had on Indian politics. The text, ‘India: A Portrait’, suggested that if the trend continued, India could be seen to slide backwards in progression to days when the country was ruled by a single hereditary monarch and various princes. French expressed concern that the approaching Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament composed of 543 representatives of the people which are directly elected on the basis of adult suffrage, could turn out to be a ‘house of dynasts’.
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The Times May be Changing
In response to this concern, new research conducted by a political scientist from New York University, Kanchan Chandra, has suggested that recent history has shown a gradual fall in the amount of dynastic MPs which currently hold a place within the new parliament which was formed following May’s general election.
A study collected by the professor discovered that only 21% of the MPs within the new parliament come from a dynastic background, which provides evidence to an 8% drop from 29% in the previous parliament. However, a survey conducted by the Hindu newspaper suggests this number may be slightly incorrect, with 130, (25%) of all MPs within the parliament having been found to have some dynastic background.
Currently, 24% of the new council in India, directed by new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has a dynastic background, which is a significant drop from the 36% that existed in the previous government, led by Congress. Experts suggest that the fall in percentages of dynastic MPs may be due to the huge victory that the Bharatiya Janata Party achieved this year, as the BJP are considered to be less dynastic than the Congress party they replaced.
Economic Focus
Many people agreed that the governing congressional party needed to be changed, since their party came with a particularly weak prime minister, various corruption scandals, and a struggling economy. The new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has left many people hopeful for an improved economy, since the government should be able to remove some of the bottlenecks which have stifled cash flow in the past, cutting India’s potential to make a decent profit.
Stick to the Facts, not Speculation
To achieve economic success, a pragmatic environment minister (not a fanatical one who makes decision after decision based on fake science) must be appointed to balance the need for growth against the need for environmental protection, allowing the bureaucracy to move forward with legitimate decisions, regardless of what political party or dynastic background they come from.
Continued Issues
Despite the significant drop, scientists such as Professor Chandra believe that most parties within India, including the currently ruling BJP, are generally more favorable towards dynastic politicians. So far, 15% of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and 26% of its cabinet are dynastic in nature, and various chief ministers have been followed by members of their family into prestigious political positions.
Out of the total thirty six political parties which currently hold one or more seats within parliament, the leaders of 36% were preceded by members of their family who were also MPs. According to Chandra, the emerging rise of aspirational, young voters, does not currently create a challenge for dynastic politics. Apparently, a study in 2011, suggested that although most voters between the ages of 18, and 30 opposed the concept of dynastic politics, they would vote for a dynastic candidate if that individual was associated with youths though.
A New Emerging Trend for the Better
When it comes to Indian politics, dynasties provide a readymade selection of networks that typically provide an adequate substitute for party organizations. However, more first-generation politicians are beginning to emerge than ever before, meaning that the stability of regional dynasties could begin to splinter in the future, making it easier for new politicians to organize their parties without depending on family ties.
