Amit's Blog

Democracy's Promise vs. Delivery: India's Struggle in the Global South   India’s 78-year democratic journey since independence in 1947 has been a tale of resilience and frustration, often overshadowed by authoritarian success stories in the Global South. Critics argue that democracy’s “magic” has failed to deliver in a nation housing 20% of the world’s population, with per capita GDP (PPP) at $10,500 in 2024, trailing peers like Indonesia ($16,197) and Egypt ($15,000-$19,094). Regional disparities—southern/western states thriving while the northern/eastern “rest” (~780M people) languish at $4,000-$5,000 PPP—mirror Sub-Saharan Africa or Pakistan’s volatile outcomes. Yet, democracy’s inclusivity, stability, and post-1991 growth (~6-7% annually) offer hope, lifting 415M from poverty since 2011. Compared to China’s authoritarian efficiency, Egypt’s military-led gains, or Indonesia’s autocratic head start, India’s pluralist model battles scale and chaos but shows adaptability. A...

India’s Path to Upper-Middle-Income Status by 2050: Challenges and Opportunities   India, with its 1.4 billion people and rapidly growing economy, stands at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. Eighty years ago, most countries that were poor remained so, with rare exceptions like oil-rich nations aligned with the United States or those benefiting from US-led security and economic support, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. China’s remarkable rise since the 1980s offers a partial exception, though it has not yet fully transitioned to high-income status. India, lacking vast natural resources or a geopolitical patron, faces a unique challenge: can it achieve upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status, defined by the World Bank as a GNI per capita between $4,516 and $14,005 (2024 thresholds), within the next 25 years? This essay explores India’s prospects, drawing on historical precedents, current economic trends, and expert insights. It examines whether India ...