Assignment Code: MPA-011 / ASST / TMA / 2022-23

Course Code: MPA-011

Assignment Name: State, Society and Public Administration

Year: 2022 – 2023

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

This assignment consists of Sections I and II. There are five questions in each section. You have to answer a total of five questions in about 500 words each. It is necessary to attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION-I

Q 3) Highlight Gandhi’s views on ‘Swaraj’ model of polity. 20

Ans) Gandhian perspectives on state theory can be best reasoned on the basis of a model for independent India that he aspired to. This polity, the model polity, was incorporated into 'Swaraj.' The general meaning of 'Swaraj' was self-governance or self-rule. Thus, Swaraj was both a collective and an individual goal of Indians, and it did not necessarily imply an alternative State that is some kind of reformed structure in contrast to the structure of the modern State.

Guiding Principles

Gandhi envisioned a polity for independent India based on the principle of democratic self-government or self-rule. Transcending self-centeredness and selfish interests would be an automatic process in this polity. Citizens of such a polity who are socially responsible and morally disciplined may not need a State. Thus, a non-statal polity was closest to Gandhi's concept of 'Swaraj.'

The guiding principles of such a polity were clear and may be detailed as below:

1. Since nonviolence was the bedrock of Gandhian ideology, it was obvious that polity would be firmly rooted in it.

2. Individual autonomy was equally important. As a result, regaining moral and social powers that had been ceded to the state during the colonial era was a critical requirement.

3. The new polity was supposed to instil courage and a sense of power in its citizens.

4. The new government was also expected to respect Indian society's diversity by cultivating strong and vibrant local communities.

5. Another important requirement was the revitalization of Indian culture.

6. The new polity was urgently needed to put an end to ethnic and religious strife and establish national unity.

7. The new polity would be made up of self-governing local communities organised in the form of a central government but without a centralised structure of authority.

Gandhi believed that people's cooperation was the true foundation of the new polity. He was certain that neither the consent and will of the people, nor any coercion, would provide a firm foundation. Only the people's cooperation, whether active or passive, would lay the groundwork for the new polity. This collaboration entailed providing various services such as paying taxes, executing orders, and adhering to laws and regulations. In other words, citizens in the new polity were self-conscious moral agents.

Functional Doctrine

The famous Gandhian village republics provided the functional doctrine of new polity. These ‘republics' were made up of small regenerated and well-organized village communities that were also self-sufficient. Village communities were supposed to manage their affairs through panchayats, which were elected by every literate adult on an annual basis. The literacy requirement, in Gandhi's opinion, was not overly stringent. He advocated for a form of political power in which citizens could legitimately be required to obtain a minimum level of education. In the republican model, the village panchayat would have legislative, executive, and judicial powers. In terms of police powers, these republics were expected to use moral authority and the weight of public opinion to bring order and harmony.

Understanding ‘Swaraj’

The above-mentioned guiding principles and functional doctrine of Gandhian polity constitute Gandhi's 'Swaraj,' the most forthright exposition of which is in 'Hind Swaraj.' Gandhi's statements on 'Swaraj' are not couched in coded or esoteric language, it is emphasised.

Q 5) Analyse the general parameters on gender issues. 20

Ans) In a general sense, when we talk about gender issues, we're talking about the qualitative and interdependent nature of the various roles that men and women play in society. The cultural, religious, and ideological foundations that are generally accepted in society are what keep the gender divide alive. The division of gender has its roots in the conditions surrounding production and reproduction, and it is kept alive by these conditions. To put it another way, the study of biology is responsible for sex, which refers to qualities that are innate and unchangeable, whereas the study of social science is responsible for gender, which refers to qualities that are conditioned by social situation and interactions. In other words, the study of biology is responsible for sex. These kinds of relationships are not always cordial or devoid of conflict; rather, the context in which they are found can give rise to a wide variety of permutations and percolations for them to take.

The concept of gender differentiates the biological and sexual differences that exist between men and women from the differences that are culturally determined between them as well as the roles that are either given to them or that they take on in a society. These culturally determined differences include the biological and sexual differences that exist between men and women. This suggests that differences between men and women evolve over time within countries as well as between countries and regions. Some of the ways in which the culturally determined roles of men and women can be altered and influenced, as well as changed, include education, public policy, images in the media, and the opinions of influential people.

According to the Census completed in 2001, there are approximately 495.74 million women in India, making up 48.3 percent of the country's total population. As a consequence of this, the progress of the nation is dependent, to a significant degree, on the improvement of the socio-economic condition and status of women. This group's rights and privileges are protected by the Indian Constitution, which is a reflection of the national concern in this regard. Article 14 ensures that men and women have the same rights and opportunities in all spheres of society, including the political, economic, and social ones. Article 15 makes it illegal to discriminate against any citizen on the basis of their gender, religion, race, caste, or other characteristics. Article 15(3) grants the state the authority to engage in discrimination in favour of women, and Article 16 ensures that all citizens are afforded equal opportunities with regard to their potential for obtaining public appointments. Every citizen has the fundamental duty, as outlined in Article 51A (e), to refrain from engaging in practises that are disrespectful to the dignity of women. Many different policies and programmes that are designed to help women have been introduced on a sporadic basis in an effort to make the equality that exists in law a reality in everyday life.

SECTION-II

Q 6) Discuss the role of bureaucracy in policy formulation. 20

Ans) In the process of formulating policies for a nation, a wide variety of actors and stakeholders are involved. The primary sources of authority are the political executive and the legislative branch of government. Nevertheless, the permanent executive or bureaucratic structure plays a significant role in the process of policy formation and implementation. Especially in developing countries where alternative mechanisms for interest articulation and aggregation are lacking, the bureaucracy serves as a repository for information (fact input) for public policy. This is especially important in the context of the public sector. Even in nations that have already achieved a certain level of development, the detailed facts and information that are provided by the bureaucracy serve as inputs for public policy. The facts that are provided in this way can therefore be considered to be valuable inputs on the part of the bureaucracy. This is because in the final analysis, certain facts may be emphasised while others may be deemphasized, and this has the potential to affect the entire policy formulation.

Some of the most influential theorists in the field, such as Herbert Simon, have acknowledged the importance of subjective judgments in the decision-making process. As a consequence of this, the determination of value by bureaucrats cannot be excluded from the process of making public policy. In point of fact, the requirement to look for bureaucratic assistance is brought on by a lack of familiarity with the political executive and legislatures, as well as a shortage of time spent working with the legislative institutions. In general, pressure is being put on legislatures to quickly pass legislation on issues of public interest, which would allow for increased administrative discretion. As a direct consequence of this, the participation of higher bureaucracy in the process of policy formulation has significantly increased. There is a growing consensus that this is a global phenomenon that has an impact not only on developing nations but also on more developed parts of the world.

Bureaucracy also plays an important role in other stages of the policy cycle, such as policy implementation and policy analysis. Bureaucrats are largely responsible for policy implementation because they have access to the necessary expertise and infrastructure. It is widely assumed that the political executive, or elected representatives of the people in democracies, is in charge of policy implementation. Of course, the ultimate responsibility for properly implementing policies rests with the political executive, but in practise, this work is carried out by the bureaucrats who comprise the permanent executive. They are in charge of the government's departments and are involved in policy implementation. Though bureaucrats are supposed to carry out policies as suggested by the political executive, there are many instances where bureaucrats use their own discretion in implementing a policy. Again, civil servants play an important role in the analysis process as the custodians of information and files, even when some of the exercise is handled by some expert agency or autonomous bodies. It is the bureaucratic organisation that is hierarchically structured and handles all of the important work and day-to-day tasks. At the same time, it has control over personnel, resources, materials, and legal authority to deal with policy analysis work. In this way, it may even have an impact on the entire evaluation process. Thus, a rational inquiry or the absence of bias cannot be ruled out.

Q 7) Highlight the impact of globalisation on developing countries. 20

Ans) Globalization poses multiple challenges to public administration in developing countries. Market forces are harming public services. Privatization of public enterprises, especially loss-making units, cannot find buyers and are sold cheaply. In India, privatisation faces strong opposition. As Self notes, privatisation led to increased unemployment, which strained the welfare budget, human effects, and economic inequality due to rising profits and falling wages in privatised industries.

Corruption and mismanagement are common in contracting. The need for constant monitoring and supervision makes the process difficult to manage and adds to the public agencies' workload and costs. Some countries have lower quality service despite lower costs. These problems offset some of marketization's financial gains for increased managerial responsibilities.

User fees violate equity and ability-to-pay. In developing countries, this approach may increase the cost of essential services that the poor cannot afford. The result could be increased inequity, dissatisfaction, and dissent among citizens. World Bank pressures many developing countries, including India, to raise tariffs and remove subsidies.

Marketization of the public sector in developing countries causes several problems, says Huque. First, the highly publicised gains in efficiency and reduction in public expenditure are often surpassed by extremely high indirect costs and artificial enhancement of productivity. Small savings in money and manpower are attained at the expense of some of the fundamental principles of public service as well as loss of public confidence in the government and its agencies. Government power, credibility, and legitimacy are eroding. Weak governments in developing countries have little bargaining power with private sector service providers, international agencies, and multinational corporations. Third, public service consumers in developing countries are weak due to inadequate government protection and pro-provider regulations. After marketization in public administration, consumers are the weakest party.

Developing countries have not reached a point where they can hand over public services to private providers without major disruption or threat to consumer plans. Privatization won't appeal to citizens unless costs and benefits are carefully calculated. Donor agencies' insistence on marketizing public administration has had unintended consequences. Marketization of public administration in developing countries has eroded the power of consumers and governments while strengthening the private sector and international agencies.

Globalization and associated changes are facilitated by knowledge-based societies and advanced information technology, but most developing countries focus on public administration basics. Despite promises and pressures for marketization, corporatization, privatisation, customer-orientation, and third-sector development, developing world results are far from satisfactory. Meanwhile, methods and mechanisms for establishing a system of democratic governance with accountability and transparency are lacking. Market-oriented reforms can improve public services in developing countries. Initiating reforms in basic social, political, and economic activities will prepare the ground for reforms to roll back the State, recover costs from users, and expose public service providers to market forces to bring out their best.

Developing countries believe globalisation must be active, orderly, and cooperative to serve common interests. Many argue that changing policies and institutions will transform the concept of development.

Globalization has taught developing countries positive and negative lessons. It has highlighted the need to appreciate and adapt indigenous local systems of administration and governance to globalisation trends. In developing countries, globalisation must bring local political, economic, and social empowerment to achieve sustainable participatory development in an equitable and just environment.

Q 9) Describe the good governance initiative in the Indian context. 20

Ans) In India, Good Governance reforms are gaining momentum. Current government changes under reinvention are often considered market-oriented neo-liberal, and initiatives to further this are visible in both developed and developing countries. The government's direct role is now indirect and facilitative. Good Governance assigns the government a steering and regulating role vis-à-vis the private sector and a productive partnership with societal organisations.

Since independence, India's government has been improved. The then-administrative system suited the British government's revenue and law and order needs. Post-independence scenario favoured Welfare State to meet people's needs. Adoption of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights, State Policy Directive Principles, and planning as means of social and economic development required reorienting administrative machinery. The governance structure and systems needed to shift from revenue collection and law and order to socioeconomic development, social welfare, and citizen satisfaction.

In India, it's become clear that the bureaucracy is inaccessible to ordinary citizens and more concerned with procedures, rules, and regulations. Good Governance requires an efficient, responsive, and accountable administration. Governance structure must involve citizens, consumer groups, local bodies, etc., beyond traditional bureaucracy.

Some of the measures taken are described below:

1. Citizens’ Charters

The concept of Citizens’ Charters originated in Britain. Citizens Charters are formulated by all those public organisations providing different kinds of services to the people. These Charters are statements that provide information to the general public about the nature of services being provided by that organisation, procedures, costs involved, mechanisms for lodging complaints in case the citizens are not satisfied, time taken for its redressal and so on. Nearly 68 organisations at the Central government level in India have formulated Citizens’ Charters. These are being done by state governments also.

2. Redressal of Citizens’ Grievances

The citizen grievance mechanism has been strengthened. In 1988, the Cabinet Secretariat created a Directorate of Public Grievances to investigate complaints about ministries and departments with direct public dealings. Organizations also track citizen complaints. Government agencies have "May I Help You" information and facilitation counters (IFCs). These help citizens get the information they need.

3. Use of Information Technology

Good Governance gives importance to use of Information Technology (IT) for efficient and effective service delivery. As you know, train, airline, bus reservations are now computerised and at the village level also computerisation of land records, registration of births, deaths, and application for necessary documents from district headquarters is making the tasks easier for the community.

4. Right to Information

It has been increasingly felt that secrecy and lack of openness in government operations results in administration using powers arbitrarily in their dealings with people. Hence, efforts have been on in recent years to ensure and bring about greater transparency in administrative decisions to enable people to have an easy access to information except those related to national defence and security.

5. People’s Participation and Decentralisation

By giving rural and urban local bodies Constitutional status, the government ensures people's participation in governance. These bodies are given self-government powers and authority. State governments have passed laws establishing these bodies, their functions, elections, resource devolution, etc.

These are some of India's key initiatives to promote responsive governance. Any effective reform must be long-lasting. Good Governance can produce results by focusing on key issues that ensure its longevity and success.