1. One Nation, One Election: Examining the Challenges to Democracy and Federalism
Introduction:
- The One Nation, One Election (ONOE) proposal seeks to conduct simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies.
- Proponents argue it will enhance efficiency and reduce costs, while critics see it as a potential threat to democracy and federalism.
- The writer, Manoj Kumar Jha, critiques the ONOE proposal, viewing it as an attempt to concentrate power and weaken the federal structure.
- Concerns Over Federalism:
- The ONOE proposal undermines the federal character of the Constitution by concentrating power in the hands of the central government.
- Critics believe that ONOE would diminish the independence of states and reduce their role in representing their people in a dynamic democracy.
- Democracy and Accountability:
- Regular elections are essential in providing opportunities for public deliberation, feedback, and engagement.
- ONOE risks weakening political accountability by reducing the frequency of elections, thereby giving the ruling party a longer leash without democratic checks.
- The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would need serious rethinking, as continuous implementation during elections could create administrative inefficiencies.
- Logistical and Practical Concerns:
- Implementing ONOE involves serious logistical challenges: organizing elections for over 1 billion people across states and local bodies in a synchronized manner is a mammoth task.
- The writer highlights that past elections have shown that staggered polls can lead to more targeted campaigning, better voter mobilization, and greater regional focus.
- The current system allows mid-term elections to hold unpopular governments accountable; ONOE may weaken this democratic function.
- Costs and Savings:
- Though supporters of ONOE argue it will save election costs, Jha suggests the true cost of democracy cannot be measured in monetary terms.
- There is concern over the monetary influence of large-scale elections, with more scope for corporate funding and electoral manipulation under the guise of ONOE
- Impact on Governance:
- The author argues that ONOE could lead to policy paralysis as governments may avoid making tough decisions close to election time.
- The administrative focus on governance and development could be sidelined during the long preparation periods for synchronized elections.
- Threat to Pluralism:
- One election might encourage dominant parties at the national level to overpower regional interests. Smaller parties may lose relevance, undermining pluralism.
- States with unique social, cultural, and economic issues may not receive sufficient attention under a one-size-fits-all electoral process.
Conclusion:
- While ONOE has some advantages, such as reducing election fatigue and streamlining governance, it poses significant risks to India’s federal structure, democratic engagement, and political accountability.
- Implementing ONOE could lead to unintended consequences by weakening the checks and balances provided by frequent elections.
- A more piecemeal approach to electoral reform, focusing on efficiency, would be preferable to an overarching shift toward simultaneous elections.
Practice Mains Question:
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Q. Simultaneous elections in India have been proposed as a measure to streamline governance and reduce election-related expenses. Critically analyse the pros and cons of this proposal, keeping in mind the federal structure and democratic accountability.
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2. The Quad Summit in Wilmington: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Security and Strategic Cooperation
Introduction:
- The Quad Summit (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) brings together leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
- The summit aims to address both immediate geopolitical concerns and the long-term strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific region.
- The Wilmington Summit (September 2023) is taking place amid leadership transitions in the US and Japan, highlighting the need for continuity in Quad’s agenda.
- Key Agenda: Indo-Pacific Integration:
- The summit’s focus is on advancing maritime domain awareness (MDA), which is critical to ensuring regional security, addressing infrastructure challenges, and managing technological developments.
- MDA has gained importance as threats to maritime security grow, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where the Quad Maritime Security Working Group aims to enhance regional laws for maritime operations.
- The Quad also emphasizes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to uphold a rules-based order in international waters.
- Operationalization of South Asia Programmes:
- The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), based in India, is central to facilitating real-time information sharing on maritime security.
- The Quad supports the IFC-IOR to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring collective regional security and navigational freedom.
- This initiative involves 12 International Liaison Officers from partner countries, contributing to the upholding of international maritime norms.
- Addressing Critical Security Challenges:
- The Quad faces several pressing issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, China’s aggressive posture, and the reconfiguration of global supply chains away from China.
- The ongoing shifts in global trade and supply chains underscore the need for regional economic resilience and defense cooperation.
- The Quad’s response to these challenges includes efforts to build supply chain diversification, strengthen cyber resilience, and enhance maritime security.
- Technological Innovation and Economic Cooperation:
- The summit will also address critical topics such as technological innovation, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
- Climate action, sustainable development, and humanitarian assistance are integral to the Quad’s agenda, positioning the grouping as a key player in regional governance.
- Long-term Strategic Vision:
- The Quad envisions a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific, working through 16 working groups that tackle challenges in maritime security, disaster relief, critical infrastructure, and counterterrorism.
- The summit in Wilmington will evaluate Quad’s progress across these domains, ensuring that it remains a reliable framework for addressing global and regional challenges.
- The Strategic Importance of the Quad:
- The Quad’s activities have expanded since its inception, becoming a crucial framework for ensuring regional security amid the geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific.
- Its rules-based approach and focus on collective security are critical in maintaining the balance of power in the region, especially in light of China’s assertiveness.
Conclusion:
- The Wilmington Quad Summit signifies the growing importance of the Quad in shaping Indo-Pacific security architecture.
- As leadership transitions loom in both the US and Japan, the summit provides a platform to solidify the Quad’s legacy, ensuring that it remains a stable and consistent entity.
- Going forward, the Quad will continue to play a key role in addressing emerging security challenges, fostering regional cooperation, and promoting a rules-based international order.
Practice Mains Question
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Q. Examine the strategic significance of the Quad in the Indo-Pacific region. How does the Quad’s focus on maritime security and economic resilience impact regional geopolitics?
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3. Addressing Fiscal Inequality: The Need for Greater Autonomy for High-Performing States
Introduction:
- The article highlights the demands made by Finance Ministers of five Opposition-ruled States in a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Their primary request is to increase the share of states in the divisible pool of taxes from 41% to 50%, as suggested by the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
- This discussion focuses on ensuring greater fiscal autonomy and addressing the challenges faced by high-performing states in the current devolution framework.
Key Demands and Issues Raised:
- Increase in Tax Devolution:
- States are asking for an increase in their share from 41% to 50% in the divisible pool of taxes.
- A cap on the Centre’s collection of cesses and surcharges is also sought, as these funds do not form part of the divisible pool.
- Concerns Over GST and States’ Autonomy:
- The GST framework has reduced the ability of states to collect their own taxes.
- States like Karnataka are raising concerns over this loss of autonomy, especially as they are penalized despite having strong economic indicators.
- Impact on High-Performing States:
- States such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, which contribute significantly to the national economy, feel constrained by the current framework.
- These states, being industrial and economic powerhouses, have specific developmental, industrial, and climate-related needs that are not addressed adequately in the current fiscal structure.
- Moreover, GST restrictions and reduced devolution hinder their capacity to address these specific needs.
- Challenges Due to Natural Disasters:
- The article notes that the Finance Commission and GST framework do not account for contingency expenses to address natural disasters.
- Recent events such as floods in Tamil Nadu, landslides in Kerala, and heavy rains in Gujarat underline the need for states to have more financial autonomy to tackle these challenges.
- Upcoming Sixteenth Finance Commission:
- The Sixteenth Finance Commission’s recommendations are expected by October 2025.
- The article argues that the new Commission must consider the growing inequality between high-performing states and poorer regions, and re-evaluate the tax devolution formula to address these discrepancies.
Conclusion:
- There is a pressing need to amend the tax devolution framework to grant greater autonomy to states, especially those with better economic performance.
- This would ensure a participatory governance model, where states can address their unique developmental, climate, and industrial needs.
- High-performing states must be empowered to collect more taxes and have flexibility in using funds to achieve their specific socio-economic
Practice Mains Question
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Q. Discuss the challenges faced by high-performing states in India with regard to tax devolution and fiscal autonomy. How can the Finance Commission’s framework be modified to address these concerns?
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