If political parties have to respond to people’s interests, why don't people demand basic public services and oust governments that fail to do this?
A heart of Gold is not enough
Purity of intent is no defense against the poverty of outcomes.
Policy problems galore in Women’s Reservation Bill
On September 18, 2023, the Indian parliament passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill. The law proposes to reserve one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. How will it work? First, a census needs to be conducted. Based on the census, delimitation will be undertaken to reserve seats for women.... Continue Reading →
Good intentions and a good policy
In 1920, the US prohibited the sale of ‘intoxicating liquors’. The idea was dressed up as a crusade against moral evil. It ended up strengthening the mafia that made exorbitant money in the illegal alcohol trade. Child support policy was framed as a way to make deadbeat fathers pay up for their child(ren). The ostensible... Continue Reading →
Musings by Madhav 