Less democracy better for India, says Mahathir

[Tiger80]

Less democracy better for India, says Mahathir HT Correspondent Former Malaysian prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, on Friday said India could be China in terms of development if it was somewhat "less democratic". He also said India needs a stronger central government, a remark that cut at the core of the current political stalemate over the decision to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail. Dr Mahathir, who transformed Malaysia from being a small rubber-exporting nation to one of Asia's super economies, said India needs a powerful federal structure, but less powerful provincial governments for the country to make rapid economic progress. "Democracy is the best form of government mankind has ever invented but it is important for the world to understand its limitations. India could be China if it were not for too much domestic politics and abuse of freedoms to protest and argue at will," he said. "Democracy does not always ensure stability and prosperity. " The leader, who towered over his country's politics for over two decades, is best remembered for his colourful personality, frequent barbs at the West, and the authoritarian manner in which he implemented his pro-market reforms that saw Malaysia's stupendous rise as a "tiger economy". "Too much democracy, without understanding the responsibilities, can obstruct decision-making," he said later during an exclusive multimedia interview for hindustantimes.com. A keen observer of Asian politics, Dr Mahathir cited the example of Singapore, which had done very well, economically, because of limited space for dissent. "Sometimes democracy can paralyse decision-making because people oppose for the sake of opposition," he said to a round of applause since it resonated with the audience, especially in view of the current deadlock in Parliament. Responding to Dr Mahathir's observations on the limits of democracy, Congress MP and minister of state for commerce and industry, Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "It all depends on whether you are running a sprint or a marathon. India is on a marathon to progress and we firmly believe in this run being a democratic progress." Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, an MP from the opposition BJD, backed Scindia, saying India had its own model of democratic governance which of course is still evolving. Mahathir essentially underlined the need for Indian governments to strongly pursue their agenda, regardless of who was in power. Malaysia emerged relatively unscathed from the Asian financial crisis after Dr Mahathir defied the IMF to introduce controversial currency controls, which nonetheless isolated his country from the global economy. He said countries like India and Malaysia could work around the economic crisis by finding new markets. 'Govt must convince people on FDI' Known for pushing tough economic policies, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad said the UPA government should hardsell its plan to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. "If the Indian government thinks it (FDI) is good for the country, then it should publicise it well and launch an outreach plan to tell that it is good," the former Malaysian PM said. "The government should explain that FDI in multi-brand retail is good for the people, not the government," he said, adding that decision-making is often a casualty in coalition governments. 'Nato attacks like terror strikes' In a barbed comment aimed at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad said those who kill by dropping bombs from the air were as much terrorists as those who blow up explosive-laden suicide vests. In context of the Arab uprising and NATO intervention in Libya, the former Malaysian PM said, "There are two kinds of terrorists. One is state-determined. The others are freelancers." He added the West ought to make a distinction between Arab nations where there is total rebellion against dictatorial regimes and ones where rebellions were not widespread but localised. NATO's interference in Libya is motivated by vested interests of its member countries, he added. http://htsummit.hindustantimes.com/summit-news/less-democracy-better-for-india-says-mahathir.php

[Tiger80]

I agree with this man majority of people don't understand what will the impact of Govt decisions on their lives whatever media tells them they just believe in it.

[ViruRulez]

The difference is that Chinese govt. is not corrupt to the core unlike India. However, I have always said that India needs "disciplined democracy" rather than a democracy and media should work for providing genuine news rather than competing for TRPs. To be honest, Malaysia and India were almost equally developing and the per capita income of both the countries in the late fifties were nearly same. In fact, Nehru and their president were also in Non Aligned Movement I suppose and decided to remain away from the cold war. But the situation has vastly changed now. They have now got a per capita income of around 4-5 times that of India and their standard of living has increased a lot more compared to us. So, we somewhat messed our country compared to other nations which achieved independence in those days. And one big mistake we do is that when we compare we always think of our GDP and economy and never think of per capita while thinking about our growth. Our govts. are also to be blamed for not thinking of the per capita ever. We need more discipline and need to be more realistic to be the next superpower in the coming decades as China is emerging. Even China is not that great in per capita though second only to US in GDP but their per capita is still twice of ours and it is growing faster than us.

[surajmal]

we are not a democracy. rather a plutocracy with several dozen fiefdoms. A true democracy will be achieved when political families are wiped off for good.

[surajmal]

The difference is that Chinese govt. is not corrupt to the core unlike India. However' date= I have always said that India needs "disciplined democracy" rather than a democracy and media should work for providing genuine news rather than competing for TRPs. To be honest, Malaysia and India were almost equally developing and the per capita income of both the countries in the late fifties were nearly same. In fact, Nehru and their president were also in Non Aligned Movement I suppose and decided to remain away from the cold war. But the situation has vastly changed now. They have now got a per capita income of around 4-5 times that of India and their standard of living has increased a lot more compared to us. So, we somewhat messed our country compared to other nations which achieved independence in those days. And one big mistake we do is that when we compare we always think of our GDP and economy and never think of per capita while thinking about our growth. Our govts. are also to be blamed for not thinking of the per capita ever. We need more discipline and need to be more realistic to be the next superpower in the coming decades as China is emerging. Even China is not that great in per capita though second only to US in GDP but their per capita is still twice of ours and it is growing faster than us.

you'll find plenty corrupt officials in China. Difference is our political leaders care more about power and their parties, while Chinese are patriotic. While corruption is a problem, priorities and allegiance of our leaders are bigger problems. In a democratic system, you'll find corruption at some scale regardless. Its just human nature.

[Stuge]

lol @ less democracy ? either you can have democracy or be socialist .In between will only cause trouble .

[ViruRulez]

you'll find plenty corrupt officials in China. Difference is our political leaders care more about power and their parties' date=' while Chinese are patriotic. While corruption is a problem, priorities and allegiance of our leaders are bigger problems. [b']In a democratic system, you'll find corruption at some scale regardless. Its just human nature.

Cannot deny. That is why I always say "disciplined democracy" is what is required. An ideal democracy would have been a disciplined democracy but unfortunately it does not exist anywhere in the world including western nations.

[ViruRulez]

Just noticed the highlighted sentences. Very true and aptly said indeed. Those are some of the important constituents of "disciplined democracy" though I would not say Malaysia is completely disciplined either. Especially I hate the sharia law inside their democracy though it does not interfere or apply on other religions except Malaysian Muslims. But the sharia would in a way imply that Muslims in that country do not have democracy while others do and that is definitely not the right thing. So, not a perfect democracy there too but overall it has been good development in the last few decades.

[achilles]

Not a single word written in that article is wrong. But only people residing outside India can be honest and get away with it.

[Tiger80]

we are not a democracy. rather a plutocracy with several dozen fiefdoms. A true democracy will be achieved when political families are wiped off for good.

Bush family is saying Hello to you

[surajmal]

Bush family is saying Hello to you

who said US is a true democracy? That country is run by bankers and corporations. Like George Carlin used to say (I'm paraphrasing), In US, you only have the illusion of choice.

[Tiger80]

who said US is a true democracy? That country is run by bankers and corporations. Like George Carlin used to say (I'm paraphrasing)' date=' In US, you only have the illusion of choice.[/quote'] Then which country is true Democracy?

[achilles]

Then which country is true Democracy?

There's is no truer democracy than India. Name one country where separatist leaders openly receiving money from across the order and insult us, would be allowed to operate under the garb of "freedom of expression".

[nikred]

As per Wiki, Norway is closest to pure democracy.:dontknow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

[achilles]

As per Wiki, Norway is closest to pure democracy.:dontknow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

United States, Canada, Estonia, Chile, Slovenia, Cyprus and Botswana are ranked higher than India :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Tiger80]

There's is no truer democracy than India. Name one country where separatist leaders openly receiving money from across the order and insult us' date=' would be allowed to operate under the garb of "freedom of expression".[/quote'] Just thank Western Leftist Liberal culture which city educated city folks are blindly following

[CSK Fan]

Not a single word written in that article is wrong. But only people residing outside India can be honest and get away with it.

I would rather live in complete abject poverty throughout my life with my free will than have the goverment tell me how many childs to raise or anything else. Of course people outside India in countries like UK and US, which ae much freer than India will want all of us back here to be the goverment's slaves. After all, its not their lives which are being affected. If we had just let the British rule over us instead of demanding independence, we would have made so much progress

[1983-2011]

"Sometimes democracy can paralyse decision-making because people oppose for the sake of opposition," he said to a round of applause since it resonated with the audience, especially in view of the current deadlock in Parliament.

This

[zen]

I agree w/ the crux of Mahathir's point for countries like Ind

[punjabi_khota]

Less democracy is a slippery slope.