education kiruba shankar flickr Courtesy: Kiruba Shankar/Flickr
14 August 2013

For a liberal India, liberate education

Education is the most in-demand commodity amongst both the rich and the poor in India. Yet, the state is unable to ride this wave to create a more liberal society. If education is the gateway to taking India’s liberal agenda forward, then educational institutions must be free to pursue their own paths

school Courtesy: Sebastian Baryli/ Flickr
14 August 2013

A new ecosystem of liberal principles

Inclusive growth means inclusive reforms and equity in economic freedom, which empowers the formal sector as well as the huge informal sector in India. In the social sector, the government must fund beneficiaries, while in the political domain the ‘ruled’ and the ‘rulers’ must be equal

cover Courtesy: Madhu Amodia
14 August 2013

India’s Liberal Agenda

This report examines whether traditional liberalism stands a chance in today’s India, where the individual’s role has been nearly subsumed by a dominant state seeking to be benefactor.

bigbirdz flickr Courtesy: bigbirdz/Flickr
14 August 2013

Liberalism as enlightened capitalism

We cannot have the ‘cowboy capitalism’ that almost brought down the world financial system in 2008, or the abdication of accountability by government institutions. Instead, both the private sector and the government must equally do their parts to create an equitable India to sustain economic growth for generations

Abe CSIS flickr Courtesy: CSIS/Flickr
26 July 2013

Japan: ‘Playing with fire?’

After winning control of the legislature on July 21, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has plans to alter the Constitution. In ways that could lead to a rearmed Japan, with a large defence force. What will be the consequences of this new face of Japan?

egypt Courtesy: oxfamnovib/Flickr
18 July 2013

Protests in democracies – patterns and problems

Elections are meant to be a suitable recourse in democracies if citizens feel that the government does not represent them. However, the recent protests in Brazil, Turkey and India show that people feel political classes are too far removed from their every day realities to address their grievances

Egypt protests Courtesy: Jacques Delarue/Wikimedia Commons
4 July 2013

Seeking dignity and direct democracy

The leaderless protests are upending traditional definitions of leadership and forms of hierarchy. Instead, the protestors are seeking some form of direct democracy and dignity.

Morsi Courtesy: European External Action Service/ Flickr
3 July 2013

Why Morsi is wrong for his people

The downfall of Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi was partly contributed by those thousands of protesters who disagreed with his view of “Us” and “Them”. Leaders such as Morsi have focused on persecuting those who refuse to share their vision; continuing down this path would have had a negative impact on history

Brazil Protest by Semilla Luz Courtesy: Semilla Luz/ Flickr
2 July 2013

Brazil, Turkey, Occupy and India: What’s up folks?

The protests in Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and India are bound by a common thread of grievances against misuse of government power and corruption. These modern protests show a marked decline in government trust, even though may not always have clear objectives