Modi has certain qualities like ability,courage,resolve…etc. which prompted him to start swatch abhiyan etc which no other PM had started before.However his limitations include lack of adequate knowledge in statecraft which when gets added to his autocratic methods and inherent prejudices,fads… due to his background and upbringing becomes dangerous like quackery for the state.
The gap in intent and achievement is defined by the manner in which the leader builds his/her team and leads it. Modi government never made an attempt to build a solid, competent team. As for leading, it is becoming increasingly evident that narcissism rather than vision guides governance. That said, all is not lost, but then the leader should have the time and temperament to listen.
2019 is one year closer than when this prescient column was written. What goes into the Report Card presented to the electorate are results, outcomes, achievements. In cold print, demonetisation will not be easy to explain or extol. Coupled with the impact of a flawed GST, the economy will show up as an area of weakness. Whatever good, sensible work can still be done in the short time that remains should be attempted. Getting Air India out by March 2018, although I think that is not possible, should be done. The virtual world of social media will bring no strength.
There is a careful line that distinguishes between recklessness and audacity just as there is a distinction between policy analysis and policy dysfunction.
As to “war gaming” – Governance is not war and Governance is not a game. The idea that there hasn’t been adequate analytical understanding in Government policies is a product of the opacity of this Govt’s function. The lack of transparency in decision making and govt analysis (which we come to know despite the Govt) tilts the balance to give the benefit of the doubt to the opposition’s narrative.
Modi has certain qualities like ability,courage,resolve…etc. which prompted him to start swatch abhiyan etc which no other PM had started before.However his limitations include lack of adequate knowledge in statecraft which when gets added to his autocratic methods and inherent prejudices,fads… due to his background and upbringing becomes dangerous like quackery for the state.
The gap in intent and achievement is defined by the manner in which the leader builds his/her team and leads it. Modi government never made an attempt to build a solid, competent team. As for leading, it is becoming increasingly evident that narcissism rather than vision guides governance. That said, all is not lost, but then the leader should have the time and temperament to listen.
2019 is one year closer than when this prescient column was written. What goes into the Report Card presented to the electorate are results, outcomes, achievements. In cold print, demonetisation will not be easy to explain or extol. Coupled with the impact of a flawed GST, the economy will show up as an area of weakness. Whatever good, sensible work can still be done in the short time that remains should be attempted. Getting Air India out by March 2018, although I think that is not possible, should be done. The virtual world of social media will bring no strength.
There is a careful line that distinguishes between recklessness and audacity just as there is a distinction between policy analysis and policy dysfunction.
As to “war gaming” – Governance is not war and Governance is not a game. The idea that there hasn’t been adequate analytical understanding in Government policies is a product of the opacity of this Govt’s function. The lack of transparency in decision making and govt analysis (which we come to know despite the Govt) tilts the balance to give the benefit of the doubt to the opposition’s narrative.