Question -
Answer -
At the time of Independence, development was about becoming more like the industrialised countries of the ‘West’, to be involved with break down of traditional social structure as well as the rise of capitalism and liberalism.
- Modernisation referred to growth, material progress and scientific rationality. This kind of idea of development allowed everyone to talk about different countries as developed, developing or underdeveloped.
- India had two models of modern development: the liberal-capitalist model like Europe and the US and the socialist model like the USSR.
- There were many in India then who were deeply impressed by the Soviet model of development. These included not just the leaders of the Communist Party of India, but also those of the Socialist Party and leaders like Nehru within the Congress. There were very few supporters of the American style capitalist development.
- This reflected a broad consensus that had developed during the national movement. The nationalist leaders were clear that the economic concerns of the government of free India would have to be different from the narrowly defined commercial functions of the colonial government.
- It was clear, moreover, that the task of poverty alleviation and social and economic redistribution was being seen primarily as the responsibility of the government.
- At the same time, these leaders differed and debated:
- Industrialisation should be the preferred path or
- Agricultural development should take place or
- Rural poverty should be alleviated.