Thinking clearly about governance

 

The mega corruption scandals - Commonwealth Games, 2G spectrum, Adarsh society and foodgrain - have dominated the headlines in India in recent months. The mood around the country, especially among intellectuals, has been one of despair. Many argue that these scandals represent the total breakdown of governance and will prove fatal to India's growth story and its ambition to become a global power.

Are these fears justified? To be sure, the monetary magnitudes associated with corruption scandals have escalated with rising incomes, many more scandals than in the past have come to light recently and the central government appears largely paralysed. Yet, the reality on governance is more complex, requiring careful analysis before jumping to doomsday scenarios.