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Publication
Abstract
Assessing and Analysing Governance in India: Evidence
from a New Survey
As part of the World Governance Survey (WGS) project, a comprehensive
assessment of governance at the national level in India was
conducted in 2001. 177 experts from four states – Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Kerala – completed a questionnaire
providing their ratings and comments to 30 indicators of governance.
The findings do suggest that even in a country of the diversity
and complexity of India it is feasible and valuable to carry
out such governance assessments. Nevertheless, due to some
methodological challenges, findings are indicative rather
than conclusive. The survey does highlight some bright spots,
including high levels of freedom of expression and association;
high levels of political competition; a respected bureaucracy;
and a military that accepts its subordination to civilian
government. However, there was an overarching concern that
policy-making is rather divorced from the people – especially
the poorest members of society. Democracy in India is more
impressive in form than substance. More specifically, the
survey found that corruption was the most important governance
challenge in the country.
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