This article by Steve Ratner in NYT provides a perspective on India, especially in comparison to China, that I find persuasive. I haven't been to China since early 2005, but even then it seemed further ahead in economic development compared to what I see in India now. Ratner's oberservations comport with mine and with those whom I read about India. Of course, economic development isn't the only measure of any nation's standing or success, but when so many people are in absolute poverty as they are here and with so much potential going untapped, it certainly is a crucial marker and the most objective.
The Inscrutable Panda has always said that corruption is China's biggest challenge, but objectively (see the article) and according to almost anyone here, India leads in this sad category. With a burgeoning and well-educated (although numerically small) middle class, I would have expected more of an uprising against corruption and inept government, but after a lot of publicity last fall, I haven't noted much activity. Maybe its percolating below the surface in anticipation of the 2014 elections. I hope so.
One parting, random thought however: if the world gets serious about climate change and if carbon-based fuel use is reduced (by whatever means), will less developed nations like India gain a comparative advantage because it is not as deeply tied into the petroleum economy? Just a thought. Goodness knows there's lots of sun light here, although we don't have a good way of converting that to transportation energy yet (do we?). But if the world changes in this manner, perhaps India would be in a better position to prosper. Just a thought.
The Inscrutable Panda has always said that corruption is China's biggest challenge, but objectively (see the article) and according to almost anyone here, India leads in this sad category. With a burgeoning and well-educated (although numerically small) middle class, I would have expected more of an uprising against corruption and inept government, but after a lot of publicity last fall, I haven't noted much activity. Maybe its percolating below the surface in anticipation of the 2014 elections. I hope so.
One parting, random thought however: if the world gets serious about climate change and if carbon-based fuel use is reduced (by whatever means), will less developed nations like India gain a comparative advantage because it is not as deeply tied into the petroleum economy? Just a thought. Goodness knows there's lots of sun light here, although we don't have a good way of converting that to transportation energy yet (do we?). But if the world changes in this manner, perhaps India would be in a better position to prosper. Just a thought.
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