The Political Economy of Intergovernmental Transfers—Evidence from Indian Disaster Relief

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-275
Author(s):  
Nakul Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Distributive Politics ◽  
The Political ◽  
Intergovernmental Transfers ◽  
Federal Grant ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Coalition Governments ◽  
National Coalition ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Relief Efforts

India’s National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) is a discretionary federal grant that supports the sub-national governments with their disaster relief efforts. Evidence suggests that discretionary intergovernmental transfers in countries with national coalition governments contribute to distributive politics. Coalition formateur(s) use these transfers to form or hold together fractious coalitions. We use data on the NCCF from 1997 to 2013 for 23 Indian states to test for distributive politics. Our results show no evidence of NCCF contributing to distributive politics. We argue instead that the NCCF contributes to a different political phenomenon— tactical redistribution.

scholarly journals Political Economy of Discretionary Transfers: A Dynamic Panel Data analysis of Indian States

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Nayak ◽  
. PriyabrataSatpathy
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Fiscal Federalism ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Intergovernmental Transfers ◽  
Estimation Model ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Data Set ◽  
National Governments

Intergovernmental transfers are a major instrument to ensure smooth functioning of ‘Fiscal federalism’ in India. But the mechanism of Central transfers in India seems to be confusing and overlapping. Although a formula-based practice has been mandated by the Indian Constitution, there are several breaks in the practice. While predetermined formulas are used for some transfers, there is considerable discretion in allocating other classes of transfers. This paper makes an attempt to focus on the determinants that influence the quantum of discretionary transfer to sub-national governments from a political economy perspective. Taking a panel data set of 28 states for the period 2001 to 2011, and by using Arrellana-Bover (1995)/ Blundell-Bond (1998) system estimation model, the paper observes that the chosen variables do explain disparity in Central fund disbursement under non formulaic discretionary head in a robust way. The study has analysed the results separately for SCS and NSCS and in combine. The findings of the study reveal that the chosen variables have different outcomes for SCS and NSCS. However, when SCS and NSCS states are combined, the variables like fiscal capacity, fiscal performance and coalition status are found to be significant.

Kämpfe um Bergbau und die Möglichkeiten demokratischer Transformation

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (189) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Dietz
Keyword(s):  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Liberal Democratic ◽  
Political Effects ◽  
Mining Project ◽  
National Governments ◽  
The Relationship

The article explores the political effects of popular consultations as a means of direct democracy in struggles over mining. Building on concepts from participatory and materialist democracy theory, it shows the transformative potentials of processes of direct democracy towards democratization and emancipation under, and beyond, capitalist and liberal democratic conditions. Empirically the analysis is based on a case study on the protests against the La Colosa gold mining project in Colombia. The analysis reveals that although processes of direct democracy in conflicts over mining cannot transform existing class inequalities and social power relations fundamentally, they can nevertheless alter elements thereof. These are for example the relationship between local and national governments, changes of the political agenda of mining and the opening of new spaces for political participation, where previously there were none. It is here where it’s emancipatory potential can be found.

Disaster relief efforts

1992 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Yeskey ◽  
Clifford Cloonan
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Relief Efforts

John Stuart Mill and Royal India

Utilitas ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin J. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Social Scientist ◽  
Civil Servant ◽  
John Stuart Mill ◽  
East India Company ◽  
The Political ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Policy Statements ◽  
Daily Occupation

Though John Stuart Mill's long employment by the East India Company (1823–58) did not limit him to drafting despatches on relations with the princely states, that activity must form the centrepiece of any satisfactory study of his Indian career. As yet the activity has scarcely been glimpsed. It produced, on average, about a draft a week, which he listed in his own hand. He subsequently struck out items that he sought to disown in consequence of substantial revisions made by the Company's directors or the Board of Control. He also listed items that achieved publication (mostly only in part) as parliamentary papers and they amount to about ten per cent of his drafts. The two lists, published in the most recent volume of his Collected Works, reveal, at the least, the ‘political’ despatches from which he did not seek to dissociate himself. The despatches were not entirely his work and authorship in the conventional sense may not be assumed. They were the product of an elaborate process, in which many hands were engaged. At worst, they were his work in much the same way that an Act of Parliament is the work of the Crown Solicitor who drafts the bill. At best they were his as are the drafts of a civil servant who believes in policy statements that he prepares for his political masters. The greatest English philosopher and social scientist of the nineteenth century was, in his daily occupation, an employee. His Company was charged with initiating policies for the Indian states and they were subject to the control of a minister of the Crown.

When Formulas Go Political: The Curious Case of Japan's Financial Index

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAYLOR C. MCMICHAEL
Keyword(s):  
Economic Indicators ◽  
Distributive Politics ◽  
Significant Determinant ◽  
Intergovernmental Transfers ◽  
General Account ◽  
Electoral Support ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Financial Index ◽  
Geographically Targeted

AbstractScholars of distributive politics in Japan have shifted from large items in the general account budget to more geographically targeted spending known as intergovernmental transfers. However, a portion of the funds sent to prefectural governments are ostensibly determined by the apolitical ‘financial index’. However, even though the financial index is included in most studies of intergovernmental transfers, only slight attention focuses on the financial index and its determination. Using prefectural level data on intergovernmental transfers, economic indicators and electoral support for the LDP, this research shows that the LDP possesses strong incentives to manipulate the index and that politics is a significant determinant of the financial index.

scholarly journals Addressing Poverty in Sudan and Malaysia: A Story of Success and Constraints

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Hillo Abdelatti ◽  
Yasin Elhadary ◽  
Narimah Samat
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Desk Review ◽  
Made In

Sudan and Malaysia have shown some socio-economic similarities especially when it comes to the issue of addressing poverty. After independence, almost half of the entire population of both countries were living under poverty line. The successive national governments in both countries have embarked on eliminating the extreme poverty. The aim of this paper is to highlight the policies and programmes adopted and implemented by policymakers in both countries in addressing poverty. The overall objective is to uncover the secret of the success and constraints faced both countries in addressing poverty. To achieve such objective, the paper based mainly on a desk review of recent documents and review of some recent researches' result. The paper has come out with that the similarities between both countries manifested itself in that both are classified as Muslim countries, have an agricultural background, inherited the same legacy as been colonized by British, their communities consist of various ethnic groups and minorities with sharp spatial and ethnic inequalities in income and social class. Despite these, Malaysia has succeeded in reducing poverty from over fifty 52.4% in 1970 to around one per cent 1.2 % in 2015, while less progress has been made in side of Sudan. Moreover, unlike Sudan, Malaysia has managed to achieve the MDGs goals in halving a head before the time determined, while Sudan has long way and it seems impossible to fulfil such objective even after 2015. Our findings have shown that, formulated home-grown policies, rejecting imposed policies by international institutions (World Bank), availability and accessibility of up to date poverty data, ability to implement policies and above all the political will are the main drivers behind the secret of success in the side of Malaysia and vice versa for Sudan. Sudan like other countries has to follow the Malaysia model if the decision makers are serious in eliminating poverty. This paper may contribute to the on-going discussion on poverty and open rooms for more comparative study between nations. Comparative study will help the planners in formulating rational policy, benefitting from exchanging ideas and learning from each.

Innovative Methods for the Benefit of Public Health Using Space Technologies for Disaster Response

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros C. Dinas ◽  
Christian Mueller ◽  
Nathan Clark ◽  
Tim Elgin ◽  
S. Ali Nasseri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Satellite Communication ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Unmanned Vehicles ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Team Project ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Relief Efforts

AbstractSpace applications have evolved to play a significant role in disaster relief by providing services including remote sensing imagery for mitigation and disaster damage assessments; satellite communication to provide access to medical services; positioning, navigation, and timing services; and data sharing. Common issues identified in past disaster response and relief efforts include lack of communication, delayed ordering of actions (eg, evacuations), and low levels of preparedness by authorities during and after disasters. We briefly summarize the Space for Health (S4H) Team Project, which was prepared during the Space Studies Program 2014 within the International Space University. The S4H Project aimed to improve the way space assets and experiences are used in support of public health during disaster relief efforts. We recommend an integrated solution based on nano-satellites or a balloon communication system, mobile self-contained relief units, portable medical scanning devices, and micro-unmanned vehicles that could revolutionize disaster relief and disrupt different markets. The recommended new system of coordination and communication using space assets to support public health during disaster relief efforts is feasible. Nevertheless, further actions should be taken by governments and organizations in collaboration with the private sector to design, test, and implement this system. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:319-328)

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