Synopsis: Real democratic freedom is impossible without economic equality. Introduction Democracy is about freedom. Rosa Luxemburg famously opined that real freedom is the freedom to disagree. In a functional sense, democracy means discussion, debate and dissent. But in India, these are fast disappearing and there is a deliberative deficit. How democracy accumulates undesirable tendencies? Shrinking… Continue reading Democracy of Producers
Author: Ram Manohar
Can unicorns solve the country’s youth unemployment problem?
Synopsis: Unicorns can make some impact and lessen youth unemployment, especially in urban India, but they can’t solve the country’s problem of job scarcity. Introduction In August 2021, India’s unemployment rate stood at 8.32%, worse than July’s rate of 6.96%, but similar to the rates recorded in August 2020 and August 2019, which were at… Continue reading Can unicorns solve the country’s youth unemployment problem?
Big Lesson From Small Nation: On import substitution
Synopsis: Import substitution cannot deliver “Make in India for the World”. Lessons from Vietnam. Contents1 Introduction2 How has Vietnam achieved this success?3 What are the consequences of high tariff on imported components?4 What are the benefits of lower tariffs? Introduction In 2015, India decided to promote mobile phone industry through import substitution. The eventual goal… Continue reading Big Lesson From Small Nation: On import substitution
How banks can lose $60 billion to cybercash highways
Synopsis: Cross-border transfers are going to be more faster and economical. Contents1 Introduction2 What is Model 3 expressway?3 What are the planned models for easing international money transfer using digital currencies?4 How the present system works?5 How Model 3 system shall work?6 How the Model 3 alternative may pose the biggest risk to the conventional… Continue reading How banks can lose $60 billion to cybercash highways
India’s ‘early harvest’ trade deals could run into trouble
Synopsis: India should be mindful of legal requirements of arriving at an “early harvest” trade deal before signing a full FTA. Introduction India wishes to fast-track its free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with several countries like the UK, Australia, the European Union, and Canada. It is keen to conclude an “early harvest” trade deal with… Continue reading India’s ‘early harvest’ trade deals could run into trouble
Cybersecurity can be made agile with zero-shot AI
Synopsis: Zero shot AI model can help to develop a robust and adaptive cybersecurity defence against new attacks. What makes AI a reliable tool in cybersecurity? The ability to learn from large volumes of data and find patterns of abnormal behaviour makes AI and particularly machine learning (ML) attractive in cybersecurity. ML algorithms can be… Continue reading Cybersecurity can be made agile with zero-shot AI
Urban safety net: On urban-MGNREGA
Synopsis: Instead of going forward with the ‘urban-MGNREGA’, the government needs to focus on coming up with new ideas to alleviate the condition of the urban poor. Introduction Recent data from both the private and public sector has revealed that there is considerable distress within India’s labour force. This distress has manifested in an increase… Continue reading Urban safety net: On urban-MGNREGA
Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
Synopsis: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which was promoted as a panacea to the problem of bad loans, has been attacked as being ineffective at best and counterproductive at worst. It requires a more nuanced debate. Introduction In recent months, a landmark economic reform of the last decade has come under criticism from various… Continue reading Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
How to boost financial inclusion
Synopsis: Greater flexibility in financial products will lead to greater inclusion of nano-enterprises, a segment which is critical to the growth of our rural economy. Contents1 Introduction2 What is the present situation wrt formalization of nano-enterprises?3 What are the associated challenges?4 What is the way forward? Introduction There are 63.4 million MSMEs in India, 99%… Continue reading How to boost financial inclusion
Organic farming should never be turned into an article of faith
Synopsis: Policies that respect the farmer’s economic freedom offer the best route to sustainable agriculture. Contents1 Introduction2 How the ban has impacted Sri Lankan economy?3 What are the lessons from Sri Lanka’s unplanned push for organic agriculture?4 What are key takeaways for India? Introduction Recently, the Srilankan government imposed a state of emergency in Sri… Continue reading Organic farming should never be turned into an article of faith
