NATURE OF INDIAN STATE

Liberal Individualistic Perspective of the

State
◦ Individual as the centre point
◦ Believe in Rationalism( Reason not Faith should be the basis of any political
arrangement)
◦ State is a necessary evil. (because of the selfishness and rapacity of men would
lead to disorder and chaos in society where no development can take place)
◦ Liberal state stands for Limited State
◦ Emphasis on Liberty( Liberty is defined as absence of restraints)
◦ Liberal State is a Consent State( State is an artificial institution created by the
people for their own good.)
◦ Liberals believe in the concept of Competition
Marxist Perspective
◦ State as a Class Institution
◦ State as a man made institution
◦ State belongs to Economically dominant class
◦ State as means ( to further its interests)
◦ State as a coercive Institution
◦ State as temporary Institution
4 Functions of Modern Capitalist State
◦ Repressive Functions ( Army ,Police and Judiciary)
◦ Economic Functions (regulates and controls the economic and other functions
for desired ends
◦ Ideological/ Cultural Functions: Since it cannot project itself as a class state,
therefore it has to perform certain ideological , cultural and persuasive
functions so as to enlist the support of the people
◦ International Functions: of the state to protect and promote national interests
Liberal Socialist State
◦ Complete Abandonment of the idea of revolutionary means, violent methods as means to
power. Complete acceptance of Parliamentary means
◦ From Working class Parties to People’s Parties
◦ Socialism as a social and economic ideal inseparable from the ideal of democracy both as
means and ends
◦ Respect for human freedom and human personality
◦ Surrender the idea of nationalisation or state ownership as first principle and substitution of
public control of enterprise and planning
◦ A complete opposition to all types of totalitarianism, authoritarianism and establishment of
polity democratically constituted, which is responsible for what it does and responsive to what
it ought to do.
Colonial State
◦ Rural Economy destroyed, Agricultural Production stagnant
◦ Mechanically manufactured goods take place of handicrafts
◦ Supplier of Raw Materials to British Industries
◦ The capital industries which constitute Industrial Structure were not allowed to
develop and the Indian market for British goods remained intact.
◦ Industrial Development keeping in view of British commercial and imperial
interests.
◦ Organised Indian Administration with the limited purpose of maintenance of
law and order and collection of revenues
Liberal Democratic State
◦ Every Indian above the age of 18 has the Right to Vote
◦ Parliament Consisting of Two Houses, Periodic Elections
◦ Numerous Political Parties, Both State and National
◦ Elections conducted by Constitutional Body Election
Commission
◦ Peaceful Transfer of Power
◦ Executive responsible to Legislature
◦ Federal State, Schedule 7, Panchayati Raj Institutions
◦ Secular State
◦ Indian Army is APOLITICAL
◦ Fundamental Rights
Liberal Socialist State
◦ Structurally Liberal Democratic State, Ideologically Liberal Socialist
State
◦ Directive Principles of State Policy
Principles relating to Economic Policies
Gandhian Principles, Social Cultural and Educational Uplift
Principles pertaining to Law, Justice and Administration
Principles for Protection of Environment and Monuments
Principles for International Peace and Security
Other Aspects of Liberal Socialist State
◦Nationalisation of Industries
◦Nationalisation of Banks
◦Abolition of Privy Purses
A Welfare State
◦ G.D.H.Cole defines a Welfare State as“ a society in which an assured
minimum standard of living and opportunity becomes the possession of every
citizen”
◦ Concept of Welfare State means,
Every citizen is entitled to a minimum standard of living
Commitment to a policy of economic stability and progress
Every citizen is to be provided employment as a policy
Purchasing Power of the Citizen has to be raised
Protection against Want, Sickness and Old Age
India – A Welfare State
National Commission on SC,ST,OBC
Affirmative Action
Schedule 9 of the Constitution
Welfare Schemes
Marxist View of the Indian State
Indian Constitution a Bourgeois Constitution
CPI(M) , “an organ of the rule of bourgeoisie and landlords led by big
bourgeoisie who are increasingly collaborating with foreign capital in pursuit of
the capitalist path of development”
A.R.Desai:-
◦ Right to Property – Fundamental Right
◦ Development of Capitalist Mixed Economy
◦ Indian Economy operates on the Principle of Profit and Production for the
Market
Conclusion
◦ Land Reforms
◦ Nationalisation
◦ Green Revolution
◦ Rural Development Programmes
◦ Labour Legislations