For Whom the Bell Tolls: Democracy and Development in South Asia

This paper suggests that there are many contrary pulls, some old, & others new, operating on socioeconomic development in the South Asian region. It argues that September 11 (2001) has been a defining & defiling moment for the region, since the consequences of the terrorist attacks on the US will weaken democracy in the subcontinent. Consequently, the region will lose its historical advantage of not being militarized by outside poles, or interests, & this will undermine democratic mechanisms that facilitate alleviation of poverty & inequality. This paper investigates the disjunction between mainstream & grassroots perceptions of India's poverty, arguing that localized democratic government, attention to the institutional architecture of countries, & enabling participation of the poor & the discriminated offer the only way to deal with economic & social inequality. Adapted from the source document.