This year, more than 80 countries and half the world’s population face elections. While many islands in the Caribbean go to the polls, their people are usually more occupied with US and British elections than those in their ancestral homes in Africa and India.
This may be excusable, there is an old saying: “When America sneezes, the Caribbean catches a cold.” It may also seem strange that some identify as Republican or Democrat, and Conservative or Labour, while living in a region that has to endure a rigorous process and heavy expense to obtain a visa to even holiday in those countries.
A history of slavery, indentureship and colonialism links the Caribbean to the UK and the US, but the region is also indelibly linked to Africa and India.
This month, India continues its democratic experiment. General elections to vote in 543 members of the 18thLok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, will run from now until 1 June. India’s elections are “colossal, colourful, and complex, involving an estimated 969 million eligible voters”, according to Al Jazeera. The largest-ever election in the world, it will be held in seven phases, with results announced on 4 June.
The incumbent prime minister, Narendra Modi, is contesting for a third term, making the fabric of the world’s largest democracy appear contradictory. The 2019 election saw a voter turnout of 67%, reflecting the electorate’s engagement with the democratic process. However, regionalism and identity politics continue to influence electoral outcomes, with coalition politics shaping the dynamics of governance.
India navigates a complex political milieu, its economic prowess and technological advancements have garnered global attention. From space exploration to nuclear power, India to most onlookers, radiates a sense of promise.
Its nuclear capabilities are a cornerstone of its strategic posture and is seen as a deterrent in a volatile geopolitical environment. India’s strides in space, successfully launching the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission last year, underscore its capabilities in scientific and engineering excellence.
The country’s economic trajectory showcases a remarkable transformation, propelled by dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem and burgeoning technological innovation. India is home to 200 billionaires, up from 169 last year, with a collective wealth of $954bn (£766bn), according to Forbes. This surge in wealth highlights India as an economic powerhouse, attracting investment from around the world.
However, this is a country with lived experience of the long-term ills and remnants of colonialism. Beneath the veneer of progress and economic strides lie deeply entrenched inequalities, and astonishingly persistent and widespread poverty.
It is also marred by an anachronistic caste system, gender disparities and violence against women. Corruption has also long been a significant impediment to India’s economic, political and social wellbeing.
But how should a country’s overall progress be assessed? Should it only be based on its nuclear power, space exploration achievements or how many new billionaires are being produced?
It seems to be a global south problem that leaders are more enthusiastic to spend taxpayers’ funds on expensive vanity projects than concern themselves with fixing basic issues of infrastructure, health and education to raise the standard of living for all its people.
While nations spend billions on space and nuclear programmes, and financing wars, such as in Ukraine and Gaza, people living in poverty are ultimately forgotten. Today, 38 million people in the US, 14 million in the UK, 95 million in the European Union and about 13 million in the Caribbean are living below or near the poverty line.
In India, it is much more, but the exact level is contested, based on the measures used. According to the World Bank, 12.9% of India’s population, or 269.8 million people, lived below the national poverty line of $2.15 a day as of 2021. Per capita income is $2,848, ranking it 143rd out of 195 countries, lower than Indonesia.
The UN Development Programme’s 2022 Multidimensional Poverty report evaluates the poverty rate as being 16.4%. However, this does not correspond to the true economic reality of India, as being a lower-middle-income country, the appropriate poverty line should be at $3.65 a day, according to purchasing power parity. At that rate, real poverty is closer to 47% or 673 million people.
This statement by the World Bank in 2022 is concerning: “We rely on countries’ own judgments of what it means to be poor.” Therefore, deciding what poverty is becomes subjective and open to manipulation by politicians wishing to be seen as creating improvements.
India’s glaring wealth disparity highlights the urgent need for social reforms. In 1945 Indian social reformer Dr Bhimrao R Ambedkar said: “In every country, there is a governing class. No country is free from it. But is there anywhere in the world a governing class with such selfish, diseased and dangerous and perverse mentality, with such a hideous and infamous philosophy of life which advocates the trampling down of the servile classes to sustain the power and glory of the governing class? I know of none.”
Ambedkar made this statement during a period of intense social and political upheaval, when the struggle against British rule was reaching its peak. He was addressing the power structures, systemic inequalities and injustices perpetuated by the caste system and the complicity of the ruling class in sustaining it.
His critique was aimed at the upper-caste Hindu elite, which held power and influence in spheres of society including politics, bureaucracy and academia. He believed their adherence to caste discrimination hindered progress and development. Not much has changed today – India’s caste system is still the foundation of this disparity.
The pressing challenges of poverty alleviation and social development persist as millions of Indians remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, with limited access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities.
Additionally, the pervasiveness of corruption has a profound impact on India’s economic development, with studies estimating that corruption costs the economy billions of dollars annually. Last year’s World Economic Forum global competitiveness report identified corruption as one of the most problematic factors for doing business in India, hindering investment, stifling innovation and distorting market dynamics.
Corruption exacerbates income inequality, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities and perpetuating poverty. It further undermines the delivery of essential services, depriving millions of citizens of basic rights.
This systemic corruption not only erodes public trust in institutions but also widens the gap between the privileged few and the marginalised many.
Addressing corruption requires concerted efforts to strengthen accountability and integrity in governance and society. Initiatives such as the Lokpal Act, 2013, aimed at combatting government corruption, are important steps.
However, implementation and enforcement mechanisms are essential to translate legislation into outcomes. Fostering a culture of ethical leadership and civic engagement is critical to building resilient institutions and promoting sustainable development in India.
As India stands on the threshold, progress is fraught with challenges and opportunities, while the data paints a picture of many paradoxes. Political participation and economic growth showcase India’s potential, but persistent poverty and inequalities underscore challenges ahead. Gigantic concerted efforts are needed to address disparities, promote inclusive development and uphold the principles of democracy and social justice.
India’s sociopolitical and economic character mirrors many Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Guyana. However, the spotlight on India extends far beyond its regional counterparts, beckoning attention from its diaspora.
A global audience eagerly awaits the emergence of a leader capable of steering the nation towards a future characterised by inspirational governance, unwavering commitment to reform and the transformative upliftment of all segments of society.
• This piece was amended on 22 April 2024 to correctly state that poverty in India stood at 12.9% in 2021, rather than 21.9%
