election symbols_Ballot box Courtesy: Rama/Wikimedia Commons
22 April 2014

50 elections in 2014: a year of democracy

The year 2014 will witness elections in some of the biggest countries including India, Brazil and Indonesia. Like in India, the participation of youth voters is likely to be an important determinant in the outcome of the elections. Gateway House examines the presence of issues common to India and the major countries going to the polls in early 2014

rajrishieco Courtesy: Ravindraboopathi/Wikimedia Commons
10 April 2014

Inadequate economic manifestos

What do the manifestos of the three main parties say about India’s economic challenges – managing inflation, reviving investment growth, and handling the fiscal and current account deficits? To address the country’s serious economic slowdown, these must be the three priorities for the party that comes to power

modisharif Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
10 April 2014

Elections: a view from Pakistan

Preoccupied with Pakistan’s internal politics, the media has shown little interest in the Indian elections. Nor has the Pakistani establishment expressed concerns about Modi’s ascendancy. But the relationship between Indian Muslims and the BJP led government – if it comes to power – will be a concern for Pakistan

leftlatam Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
8 April 2014

The Left surge in Latin America

Latin America continues to turn to the Left. Michelle Bachelet became president of Chile in March and has promised fiscal reform; Salvador Sanchez Ceren took over as president of El Salvador in June and will tackle inequality; and in Costa Rica too, the centre-left Luis Guillermo Solis assumed power

SansadBhavan_tv Courtesy: Indianhillybilly and Ambuj.Saxena/Wikimedia Commons
7 April 2014

Election 2014: A view from the U.S.

As India goes to the polls, many in the U.S. and at home will hope that a new government will usher in a new era in the India-U.S. bilateral. Yet, past condemnations of the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and the Obama administration’s liberal leaning bureaucrats might prove to be stumbling blocks

EOH2 Courtesy: Alex Jensen
20 March 2014

Rethinking material progress

At a recent conference on the ‘Economics of Happiness’ in Bangalore, opponents of globalisation outlined a vision of an economic system rooted in community, localisation and fairness. However, convincing everyone to think beyond GDP growth and look at harmonious “intelligent growth” will be a challenge