video Chrystia Freeland

Is this the moment for political awakening in India's cities?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 04:39

While still 68% rural, it seems India is the only exception to Democratic theory. Professor Ashutosh Varshney explains where the country's political and economic strengths lie.

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These -- and again neglected to -- sport in the countries. In gets to the sixties and so -- did it the village is economically underprivileged but politically. And the city's economic improvement politically and set it at the moment political awakening of cities yes it can be. The city has not -- as much as India's religious. Which is -- -- might -- which is richer and better articulate so it goes against immigrant pay Enders disproving. -- get the only exception to the pace of the -- is still valid X three pigs do a lot of exceptions -- already -- it -- democracy. Like because the hungry -- name. Knowing you can say you can -- but all boats. Didn't it should of social science community is such that we cannot have physics like. -- We cannot say if it happens big you must happen what do you say that it happens Beasley might. Not that you must happen. This is that's the best and that's the best -- mission possible social sciences the is that likely to. And as opposed to you must happen if it happens so it that formulation does allow exceptions. So it he did in the democratic case is those little more educated those live picture. Those who from the upper tiers of society unlikely to more. But it doesn't say that will necessarily happen every. And India is it's challenging that aspect of democratic ticket city what's more than -- autism society will more. On the -- the village of votes more than -- to -- do we'll what -- more -- the middle classes so middle class has to stop what. And maybe this is the -- -- entry. Into it looks -- as and I think it's possible but we have Britain's. And what would it. This it that it became the base. Of this movement. If sanctions. Have been in games. What might be cool machine politics. Into this week's. I've come to you mine and mine and that means that right representative for casts. For. Put put you put a license. -- what about certificate and you do put a gas connection I mean do. Night all have to but I someone to get the gas connection to get to but -- to get to that -- a sick. Do you want citizenship rights. I'm citizen of this country -- I need about certificate issued an office would -- boats that. And did that -- it that it transport -- should give me lessons. If I passed the test. So this week office to Begin to change that this will be based citizenship based politics. And this middle class doesn't want -- an -- either with the democracy over the politicians. And I'm not -- but not the politics in the business of politics in the -- in the -- Rosalind. Has politics and being in newly -- the big you'll wind and some in your ilk in the 1880s. Was -- it. I do do the politicians. Does something for you and independents who vote for. On the -- I mean just something for you. And you independent war -- that it didn't get that gets more complicated because of financial transactions also -- And I think middle class is about -- Against on this therefore we should expect to Begin to see it shows about citizenship. Came. On governments. And we have to see whether this of this plaza support of the movement and continue to support the woman continue to be active. It just actions -- -- -- -- but it could be a turning point for this application yes we still have the watchful. And the next national election and given -- any interest.