When did Globalization started?

What Exactly is Globalization ?

Factors helping Globalization

Negatives of Globalization in General

• Attack on sovereignty of nations by MNCs and Institutions like WTO , IMF etc.
• Spread of Terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy etc
• Increased Insurgencies
  • • • Adivasis uprooted from ancestral lands by MNCs
      • Support of diaspora . Eg : Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers relied on the Tamil diaspora
• Environmental damage : overfishing, forest depletion etc.
• Disease Spread : Diseases spread like fire in the forest because of increased global connectivity & movement
• Global Economy became too fragile – frequent depressions and slowdowns
• Inequality has increased . Capitalists have exploited the situation to their advantage
• Increased vulnerability of workers : MNCs keep on shifting their manufacturing bases based on cheap availability of labour. Eg : Nike –  Japan => South Korea => Indonesia , India and Thailand.
• Impetus to Culture of Materialism and Consumerism
• Exploitation of farmers
  • • • Globalization has exposed the farmers to global competition
      • WTO obligations regarding de minimus limit
      • MNCs controlling farmers through Contract Farming
      • Seed monopoly by MNCs

But we cant live in isolation and we can find a warning against isolationism in a parable about a well-frog- the ‘kupamanduka’ that persistently recurs in several old Sanskrit texts.

Socio-cultural Globalization & India

• Cultural Globalization has increased cross cultural contacts 
• Penetration of western food culture like McD, Pizza Hut, KFC etc & western cloth culture .
  • • • Critics say that it is Westernisation and not Globalization because of imbalance of transfer
      • But  MNCs also adopt to the local cultures eg McD don’t serve beef burgers,  Pizza Hut coming  with Indian flavours etc .
• Cultural  homogenization : we all watch the same television programmes, buy the same commodities, eat the same food, support the same sports stars . Cultural diversity is being destroyed .
• Use of  ‘English’  rapidly increasing + Multilingual speakers are  increasing
• Rise of right wing parties  to protect local values & culture

Economic Globalization & India

• Globalisation of production
• Globalisation of markets

Impact of Globalization on various sections of society

1. Society as a Whole

2. Female

3. Farmers and Agriculture

• Greater access to better technology
  • • • high yield varieties
      • genetically modified crops (GM crops)
      • micro irrigation techniques.
• Foreign investment in agriculture in contract farming  and food processing have helped farmers.
• Access to foreign markets

Negative Impact of globalization

• Exposed to Competition from World =>  good produce in Jamaica can make price of sugarcane to fall in India .
• MNCs using IPRs to create seed monopolies . Eg :  Monsanto’s monopoly over BT cotton seed
• Due to WTO obligations and De-Minimus limit , state support for agriculture has declined substantially .
• MNCs controlling farmers through Contract Farming (monopsony in exotic products)
• Crops grown in Contract farming  usually requires high doses of fertilisers and pesticides which damage environment
• Increased suicides since LPG reforms in India . Eg : Vidharbha is called suicide capital of India .

4. Old Age

5. New Generation / youth 

5. Art Forms

• Fusion of Indian and Western Art  forms  . Eg Fusion Music , Fusion Dance
• Packaging and branding of traditional folk and festivals
• Tourism to see Indian culture. Eg – Langar of Golden Temple to ruins of Hampi have become tourist destinations
• Yoga becoming world famous
• Foreign culture is also penetrating India and hence, right wing groups revived cultural nationalism . Eg campaigns against Valentines Day etc

Localisation  vs Homogenisation vs Clash of Civilisation

Three contrasting views

1. With Globalisation ,  all cultures will become similar/ homogeneous.
2. There is an increasing tendency towards glocalisation .
3. Clash of Civilisations

Glocalization

Glocalization refers to the mixing of the global with the local.

Arguments for Glocalization

Argument for  Homogeneity

3rd view – Cultural polarization

In Indian context, regionalism is rooted in India’s diversity vis-a-vis caste , religion , language , ethnicity etc. When all these factors get geographically concentrated along with the feeling of relative deprivation, it results into Regionalism.

Is Regionalism a threat to National Integration?

• Positive : This type of Regionalism is not threat to National Integration
• • • • Desire for preserving identity based on language, culture, ethnicity
      • To protect socio-economic interest
      • For administrative convenience .

• Negative : Any demand of regionalism which acts as a threat to nation building efforts is referred as negative form of regionalism . Like Son of Soil policy & demand of secession.

Second form can be seen as threat while first form is not threat per se.

Characteristics of regionalism

• Regionalism is conditioned by economic, social, political and cultural disparities. 
• Regionalism at times is a psychic phenomenon.
• Regionalism is built around as an expression of group identity as well as loyalty to the region. 
• Regionalism supposes the concept of development of one’s own region without taking into consideration the interest of other regions. 
• Regionalism prohibits people from other regions to be benefited by a particular region.

Types of Regionalism

• Demand for  Separation  : Demand to secede from Indian union and become a sovereign state. Eg : Khalistan , Azad Kashmir , Naga etc

• Supra-state regionalism: Group of states are involved. They share common issues & build common identities . Eg    Northeastern states for economic development and rivalry between North and South Indian States on language

• Inter-state regionalism: Between States . It is  issue-specific. Eg : Disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Kaveri

• Intra-state regionalism: Due to lack of equitable sharing of benefits within state. Eg:  Coastal region vs western region in Odisha, Jaipur (Amer) vs Jodhpur (Marwar) in Rajasthan

Causes of regionalism in India

• Linguistic Reorganisation of States

1. • States  divided linguistically => generate sub-national identity

• Historical and cultural factors: 

1. • History has divided India into two  parts – “Aryans” and “Dravidians”.
   • Different regions have their own local heroes &’people tend to mobilise around them .Eg Shivaji in Maharashtra or Periyer in TN etc
   • After integration of princely states , people were still loyal to their old territorial units

• Economic underdevelopment : Uneven development generates  regionalism and separatism. It can manifest in form of demand for Special Category Status or separate state or secession . Eg Bodoland, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhatisgarh, Telangana, and so on.

• Politico-administrative factors:

1. • Used by some region based parties. Eg : Shiv Sena => protect Maratha interests 
   • Undue Interference in the affairs of state by  central government gives  birth to regionalism.

• Economic Development – Sometimes development of particular community raises regional aspirations of the community . Eg : After GR, Sikh Jatts of Punjab became economically prosperous and they started to demand separate Punjab from other Hindi speaking regions

• Disintegration  of Congress Party : After Nehru, central leaders started to impose their mandate on regional leaders. As a result, local leaders moved away to form parties like NCP in MH , Trinamool Congress in WB. They encouraged regionalism

Son of the Soil Movement

• “Son of the soil” doctrine argues that state specifically belongs to the main linguistic group inhabiting it , who are the sons of the soil or local residents.
• Aka Politics of Nativism.

Why son of the soil?

• Rising aspirations of the local middle class
• Economy’s failure not to create enough employment opportunity. There remains a competition for jobs
• Politicians with vested interests try to consolidate their voting base using this. Eg Shiv Sena in Maharashtra

Note : In some areas like Punjab , Haryana , Delhi etc , son of soil theory is not there but in Maharashtra , Karnataka etc it is present.

Impact of Regionalism in India

Ways to Combat 

• Making India truly federal in word and spirit
• Doing away with regional imbalances 
• Not imposing single culture on whole nation . Eg imposing Hindi in whole nation will face backlashes from Non-Hindi speaking states .
• Three language formula as suggested by Sarkaria Commission to be strictly implemented
• People to People contact + making people aware of other cultures using TV & Radio + Ending the prejudices of Cow Belt against North Easterners & South Indians

Federalism to Combat Regionalism/ Why India didn’t face Regionalism  to the extent other multi-lingual/diverse countries face

• Other countries with ethnic and linguistic diversities are facing many problems like secessionist movements => they werent able to accommodate regional aspirations 
• • • • Nepal is facing Madhesi Agitation
      • Pakistan facing Baluchi & Sindhi movements
      • Sri Lanka experienced Tamil civil war
      • Eriteria seceded from Ethiopia
      • Yugoslavia broke due to various sub nationalisms at play

But India inspite of such a huge diversity of cultures is still united  .  Reason = Federalism and devolution of power which gives sense of meeting regional aspirations by various groups.

• Indian federalism provides democratic ways to meet local aspirations of people
• • • • Sovereignty is constitutionally shared. States enjoy significant power  . People feel that they are governed by their own people . Cooperative  and Competitive Federalism is the new watchword in India.
      • 73rd and 74th Amendment
      • Regions under 5th and 6th Schedule enjoys certain autonomy
      • Art 370 & 371 has special provisions helpful in addressing concerns of some states.

Other factors why India hasn’t faced Regionalism 

•  Linguistic reorganization of states
• • • • Unlike our neighbours, India recognized early that language is the reason behind regionalism & opted for linguistic reorganization of the states in 1956.And by 1966 all major language speakers have states of their own. This led to regionalism problem getting subdued in India.

• Economically most backward regions are politically most powerful.
• • • • India has a peculiar situation  unlike other countries =>  UP is one of the most backward state in India but they decide who will make Government at Union => cant complain of Political Apathy & Discrimination
      • Out of 14 Prime Minister, 9 are from UP.

• Economic interdependence between different regions

• Wave of globalization => India is becoming homogenous => Regionalism subsumed by Globalisation

• Religion is private affair of person and state passively respects all religions

Arm length distance is maintained between state and religion.

• Laicite / Militant Secularism
• In France, due to long battle against religious influence on laws and government, Laicite was introduced.
• There is total separation between religion and state (ie  religious activities and symbols are banned in public sphere).

French secularism has come under criticism that rather than promoting diversity, freedom of thought and multi-culturism , it is interfering with the basic right to religious self expression

• The Indian idea and practice of secularism although was inspired by western ideas yet it is rooted in India’s unique socio-historic circumstances like religious diversity and support for all religions .

• Based on this , features of Indian secularism are as follows
  • • Wall of separation between state and religion is porous ie state can intervene in religion to promote progressive voices within every religion . Eg : Abolition of untouchability.
    • However, religion is strictly prohibited to interfere in state matters hence disallowing mobilisation of electoral support on religious line

• Articles 25 to 28 => freedom of religion to all.
• Articles 14, 16, 44 (Uniform Civil Code) and 51A, by implication prohibit the establishment of a theocratic state.
• In the Kesavananda Bharati case the Supreme Court (SC) had declared secularism as a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
• Doctrine of Essential Practices by SC
• Section 123(3) of Representation of Peoples Act 1951  prohibits political parties to ask for votes on religious lines
• Rev Stanislaus vs State of MP held that forcible conversions is not included in right to propagate religion

Definition of Communalism

Stages of Communalism

Communalism is manifested at three levels

Communalism is an ideological tool often used by upper class to mobilise people to achieve their own political goals 

6 types of Communalism

Last three are threat to national integration but first three arent . Hence, we cant say communalism is always threat to national integration.

Characteristics of Communalism

• Communalism is an ideological concept. 
• It is total commitment to a set of beliefs & unwillingness to accept other beliefs 
• It mostly rests on prejudices.
• It close the self and is highly emotional
• It causes rivalry and violence among masses.
• It is used by the higher class people and elites as an instrument for division and exploitation.
• It strikes at the roots of secularism and national integration.

Evolution of Communalism in India

• With the emergence of secular education,  new educated middle class emerged . But the aspirations  of the middle class were not getting satisfied in the absence of adequate economic opportunities. Communal Politics emerged to get largest pie .
• Socio-economic classes coincided with religious distinctions. Eg :
• • • • Hindu Zamindars vs Muslim peasants in Bengal, Kerala etc
• Divide and Rule Policy of Britishers : To counter the growing national movement

However, the overthrow of colonial state was only the necessary condition to fight the menace of communalism but not sufficient condition . There were other forces at play too. Even in post-independence period , Government failed to control communalism.

Causes of Communalism

• Muslims failed to intermix in the national mainstream and insist to sustain separate identity.

Vote Bank Politics

• Various religion base parties use Communalism to consolidate their vote banks

Communal way of History writing

• British historian like James Mill described ancient period  as the Hindu period and  medieval period as the Muslim period

Economic Causes

• If certain religious community is economically weak => feeling of relative deprivation => rise of communalism

Absence of Uniform Code

• In absence of Uniform civil code, there is  perception that all communities have divergent and contradictory interests.

Psychological factors

• Hindu groups consider that the Muslims are crusaders , fundamentalists and unpatriotic.
• On the other hand, the Muslims believe that they are  treated as inferior group in India .

Politics of Appeasement

• Political parties try to appease communities for votes. Eg : Shah Bano Case . This promote Communalism

Provocation of Enemy Countries

• Eg : Pakistan foster Communal feelings especially in Kashmiri Muslim Youth

Problems in State Machinery to fight Communalism

• National human rights commission (NHRC)  fights for  communal violence related causes . But it’s recommendations are advisory in nature
• Various commissions have given suggestions to  solve the issue of communal violence. Prominent among them are SACHAR COMMITTEE  and RANGANATH MISHRA COMMISSION.
  • • • Sachar committee (2010) : set up Equal opportunity commission (EOC) 
      • Ranganath Misra Commission : recommended reservation for minorities
• No Special Act dealing with Communal Violence and targetted violence. It was also held in Sajjan Kumar vs State (2018)
• Role of police in communal riots is highly controversial. This is further aggravated by large scale concentration of dominant caste in police .

Impact of Communalism

Ways to eradicate Communalism:

• Balanced and job intensive economic development
• Interreligious marriage
• Equal Opportunities commission  should be formed .
• Going towards Uniform civil code
• Zero Tolerance toward riots .
• Avoid communalisation of politics.
• Promote Indian ideology of Vasudeva Kutumbakam ie whole world is a family ie universal brotherhood.

• • • Vishakha Guidelines by  Supreme Court in 1997

• • • Protection of Woman from Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act  based on  Vishaka Judgement

• • She Box Portal to enable woman employees  to file harassment complaints at workplace

• • • It  defines sexual  harassment  as laid down by SC in Vishaka  case.

• • • It puts the legal responsibility on the employer to provide a safe & conducive environment for the woman  worker.

• • • Formation of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) or, in case of unorganised sector , formation of 5 member Local Complaint Committee under the supervision of District Collector.

• • • Those who  donot  comply  with the Act’s provisions will be fined up to Rs 50,000.

• • • 2015 study : 36% of Indian companies have not constituted ICC

• • • Non inclusion of the armed forces and all paramilitary forces within its purview.

• • • If a complaint is found to be “malicious” , she is liable for punishment. This will discourage victims

• • • Limited time period of 90 days to file complaint

• • • Provide security to only women and not men

• • • Punishment   for misconduct is as per the service rules of the employer ( if it exists), else as per the rules of the act. The Act is, however, silent on the situation where employers’ service rule contains less stringent punishment provisions.

• Dowry =  payment in cash or  kind to a bridegroom’s family at marriage
• Dowry Death  = When young women are murdered or driven to suicide by continuous harassment and torture by husbands and in-laws in an effort to extort an increased dowry.

• Part of Indian culture => Exclusion of women from workforce especially those belonging to higher caste necessitate this
• Increasing   consumerism – people see dowry as avenue to fulfil their  impossible dreams.

For some people, paying dowry at their daughter’s marriage is an investment  for  fetching high  dowry through    their son’s  marriage.

• Domestic Violence : women harassed & tortured
• Imbalance in sex ratio: Daughters  seen as financial burden => female infanticide & foeticide
• Against Constitutional Spirit of Equality and Justice => violation of Fundamental Rights of women and their parents
• Impact on children‘s personality 
• Detrimental for Indian image at global level + Against CEDAW  (Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) ratified by India 

• Asking & giving Dowry punishable by 6 months
• Issue –  “Dowry” is defined as a gift demanded or given as a condition for marriage. Gifts given without condition are not considered dowry, and are legal.
• Asking or giving of dowry can be punished by an imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine

Section 304 B of IPC

• deals with dowry death related cases.
• imprisonment of 7 years to life term.

Section 498 A of IPC

• Dowry related cases are non bailable and non compoundable.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PWDVA)

Conventions

• Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

• Attitudinal Change   => Use Peer Pressure
• Amend Section 406 and 498A of IPC  as suggested by Malimath Committee.
• Strict   enforcement  of  laws  + Dowry related cases should be fast tracked.
• Government should promote “Adarsh Marriage” & ” Mass Marriage”

• IPC Section 406  don’t clearly demarcates boundary between dowry & Streedhan. This has been misused in demanding dowry. (Justice Malimath Committee)
• Section 498 A of IPC is problematic

Provisions related to Women Safety & Government initiatives

Government’s Schemes  to Empower Women

New Schemes

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (most Important Scheme)

1. Prevent female foeticide &  infanticide
2. Ensure every girl child is educated (beti padhao)

100 % funded by Centre

Salient Features of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana

• Task Force  under District Collector
• Ensure strict implementation of PCPNDT Act
• Strict implementation of POCSO Act  (POCSO= Protection of children from sexual offenses)
• Sukanya Samridhi Yojana : Small Saving Scheme under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

What more should be done

• • • Shift focus from female sterilisation to male sterilisation.

Education

• • • Mission mode approach for literacy among women

Economy

• • • Assessment of  incidence of poverty by gender
    • Recognizing women’s unpaid work
    • Rights of women to immovable property.

Governance and Decision Making

• • • Number of women legislatures should be improved

Environment and Climate Change

• • • Climate change will impact Women the most =>
      • higher temperatures will increase their labour in food processing & collection of potable water
      • Global warming => low food => it will  affect females more than males due to unequal intra-household food allocations
    • Programs should place women at center stage

• • • Recognizing special needs of single women including widows, separated, divorced and deserted

Concept of Gender?

Gender manifest itself at three levels

• • • • Identity Level : Male or Female
      • Cultural Level : Masculinity and Femininity
      • Structural Level : women confined to domestic sphere  and males working outside

Impact of gender stereotyping on position of woman / Impact of Patriarchal Mindset on woman

• • • • Domestic Division of Labour : Household work reserved for women
      • Pink Collared Jobs :  Teaching, Nursing , Air Hostess etc reserved for them
      • Glass Ceiling : Women  stereotyped to be emotional – higher levels jobs of decision making   denied to them
      • Violence against woman

Useful data

• Woman Labour Force Participation : 27%
• Global Wage Report : indian Woman are paid 30% lesser than males for same job
• Global Gender Gap Report  2018 (by World Economic Forum) : India  ranked 108

Movement for Women’s welfare & Security

Feminist Movements

NGOs

SHGs

Literary Movements

Present Movements