Skip to main content

Pre-LPG Era

It is LPG(Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization) era in India. It started in early 1980's with pro-business measures like removing restrictions on capacity expansion, price controls and reducing corporate taxes. Second phase of liberalization started in early 1990's which ended many public monopolies and allowed foreign direct investment in many sectors.

After independence from British colonial rule in 1947, India opted a socialist economy with government control over private sector participation, foreign trade and foreign direct investment. This economic policy aimed to substitute products which India imports with locally produced substitutes, industrialization, state intervention in labour and financial markets, a large public sector, business regulation and centralized planning. It expected the creation and growth of capital and technology intensive heavy industries as well as subsidizing manual, low skill collage industries simultaneously.

Jawaharlal Nehru, who formulated and oversaw this economic policy expected a favourable outcome from this strategy because it features both capitalist market economy and socialist command economy. But the outcome was unfavourable to the country and leads to liberalization and privatization in India.

Government made large investments in heavy industries and expects these industries will produce enough capital for investment in other sectors of the economy. But it didn't happened. In the other hand, government has to invest more money for the survival of these companies because of poor management and low productivity. For example, the public sector steel company losses were more than its initial investment while the private sector steel company was making profit.

India's average annual growth rate from 1950-1980 was 3.5%. At the same time other Asian countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan recorded an annual growth rate of 8%. Now 'Hindu rate of growth' is an expression to refer low annual growth rate.

The failure of pro-socialist economic policy to produce an annual growth rate comparable to its neighbours leads to the economic reforms going on now.

Comments

Popular Posts

Rules Of Power

The rules of power refer to a set of strategic principles designed to help individuals gain, maintain, and defend influence in social, professional, and organizational settings. In a world where power dynamics shape everything, understanding the rules of influence is essential. Robert Greene’s book titled ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ is a comprehensive guide to understanding and mastering power dynamics in life, business, and relationships. Greene presents power not as a moral virtue but as a neutral force. You can harness it, ignore it, or pretend it doesn’t exist while others use it against you. The laws cover a wide range of strategies, from how to interact with superiors and peers to how to manipulate situations and people to your advantage. The book emphasizes that power is not just about force or authority, but about perception, influence, and the ability to control situations and relationships. The laws are not meant to be followed blindly, but rather as tools for understanding th...

Human Judgement

Human judgment is the cognitive process by which individuals evaluate situations, weigh evidence, make decisions, and form beliefs or opinions. It is essential for daily life and critical thinking. Human judgment is shaped by a blend of psychological components, including cognitive processes, emotions, biases, heuristics, and social influences. These elements interact to determine how people gather, interpret, and act upon information in both routine and complex situations. It emerges from a combination of logic, emotion, bias, intuition, learned experience, and social context, making it powerful yet inherently imperfect. Judgment relies on information processing in the brain.Mental shortcuts known as cognitive biases can skew perception and lead to systematic errors. Emotions like anxiety, fear, excitement, or stress can strongly influence decisions. Mental shortcuts simplify decision-making in complex situations. It can lead to misjudgments, such as overestimating the likelihood o...

Wisdom of Stoicism

Stoicism is a philosophy of life developed by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. It is a system of thought that teaches that the only things that are truly good are virtue and vice. So we should not be attached to external things like wealth, health, or pleasure, as they are outside of our control and can therefore be taken away from us at any time. Instead, we should focus on developing our own character and living in accordance with reason. The four cardinal virtues of Stoicism are: Wisdom : This is the virtue of using reason and logic to make good decisions. Wisdom helps us to understand the world around us and to live in accordance with nature. Courage : This is the virtue of facing our fears and doing what is right, even when it is difficult. Courage helps us to overcome challenges and to live a meaningful life. Justice : This is the virtue of treating others fairly and with respect. Justice helps us to build strong relationships and to create a just society. Temper...

Nudge

A nudge is a gentle push or touch, often used to get someone's attention. Nudges are different from rules or regulations. They don't force people to do anything, but they can make certain choices seem more appealing or easier to make. A nudge in behavioral science is a subtle intervention that influences people's decision-making without limiting their choices or using strong incentives. Nudges are based on insights from behavioral economics and psychology, which show that people don't always make rational choices. For example, many grocery stores place unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks near the checkout counter because they know shoppers are more likely to make impulse purchases when they are waiting in line. A behavioral nudge to counter this strategy would be to place healthier options, like fruits and vegetables. Nudge theory is a concept within behavioral economics that proposes adaptive designs of the decision environment (also known as choice architecture) to...

Illusions

Illusions in human life are deeply connected to our perception and cognitive experience. It influences how we interpret reality and navigate everyday situations. These illusions range from simple optical tricks to more complex psychological and existential misperceptions that influence our beliefs, expectations, and well-being. Illusion of Predictability The illusion of predictability is a cognitive bias where people overestimate their ability to foresee future events or outcomes. This bias often arises from relying on past experiences, which leads individuals to feel unjustifiably confident in their judgments about what will happen next. The illusion persists because our minds are wired to construct coherent stories from limited or ambiguous information, creating a sense of understanding and control over what are actually chaotic or unknown outcomes. In business or investing, people may put undue trust in models or trends, confident in their predictive power, even when outcomes d...

Three Poisons

Zen Buddhism identifies three poisons as the root causes of suffering. Greed : An intense desire for things, experiences, or people. Greed leads to a constant state of wanting rather than appreciating what one already has. This creates a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction, as no amount of acquisition can truly fulfill the emptiness created by greed. It can blind us to the true value of things. We may become fixated on acquiring possessions or achieving external validation, neglecting the importance of inner qualities and genuine connections. This distorted perception can lead to poor decision-making and harmful actions. Greed often manifests in harmful ways, such as exploitation, manipulation, and even violence. As individuals and societies become consumed by greed, suffering increases for both the pursuer and the pursued. When consumed by greed, we prioritize our own desires over the needs of others. This can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness. Hatred : Anger or disli...

Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding behaviors despite negative consequences. It can involve substances like drugs and alcohol, or activities like gambling and gaming. Here are some key aspects of addiction: Compulsive behavior : A strong urge to engage in the addictive behavior, even if they know it will cause harm. Loss of control : Struggle to control the frequency or duration of the behavior, and may find it difficult to quit even if they want to. Cravings : Intense cravings for the substance or activity, which can be difficult to resist. Tolerance : Over time, need to increase the amount of the substance or the intensity of the activity to achieve the same desired effect (tolerance). Withdrawal : Stop engaging in the behavior causes withdrawal symptoms, which can be physical or psychological. Negative consequences : Negative impact on many aspects of a person's life, including their physical and mental health, relationship...

Healthy Life

A healthy life is a holistic approach to well-being that includes physical, mental, and emotional health.  Living a healthy life is a journey, not a destination. It is about making conscious choices that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Making gradual changes to your lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in your overall health. Healthy habits are the building blocks of a fulfilling life. They contribute to physical, mental, and emotional well-being by eliminating unhealthy lifestyle choices. Lifestyle diseases are non-communicable diseases that are largely caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. These diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide and are a major public health concern.   Common Lifestyle Diseases Heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are some of the most common cardiovascular diseases. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors like diet and physical inactivity. Certain types of cancer, such as lung, ...

Mortality

Mortality refers to the state of being subject to death. It is a fundamental aspect of life that affects every living organism. Recent loss of a close family member brings the thoughts of mortlity into my mind. Philosophy seeks to understand the nature of death, its implications for human existence, and the meaning of life. Plato explains that the soul is immortal and will remain (in a spiritual sense) after the physical destruction of the body. He explains that the fear of death is only natural to humans, but death should be viewed as the achievement of life. Epicurus explains that the soul is mortal and suffers destruction when the body does because the two exist in unity. He claims that it is irrational for humans to fear death because once death occurs the experience is over and the person cannot recognize the pain of the experience. Socrates viewed death as a journey to the afterlife, a concept that provided comfort to many. Different cultures hold diverse beliefs about what...

Essentialism

Essentialism is a philosophy that encourages us to focus on what is truly important in life. It is about stripping away the unnecessary and focusing on the core elements that bring real value and fulfillment. Key principles of essentialism include: Clarity : Identifying what truly matters to you. Courage : Saying "no" to distractions and commitments that don't align with your priorities. Creativity : Finding innovative ways to achieve your goals efficiently. Productivity : Maximizing your time and energy by focusing on what is essential. Benefits of adopting an essentialist mindset: Reduced stress : By focusing on fewer things, you can reduce overwhelm and anxiety. Greater satisfaction : By focusing on what truly matters, you can experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. Simplicity : Essentialism cuts through the clutter and complexity of life, helping us focus on what truly matters. Focus : By prioritizing the essential, we can avoid wasting time and energy ...