And, as with the older castes, there is no need for any qualification for the vocation; birth is sufficient. Lack of vocational competence never barred Indians from remaining in their caste, and how well one performs in political office is likewise not a criterion for politicians to continue in positions of power.
India’s parliamentary system requires ministers to be members of the legislature. Party leaders select family members and other loyal followers as candidates for elections with absolutely no consideration of their abilities to fulfill ministerial responsibilities, resulting in Cabinets that are simply not capable of managing the problems confronting the country’s national and state governments.
Even with the best political leadership, governing India is no easy task. Successive governments staffed with unqualified politicians have failed dismally to carry out the core governmental functions of maintaining law and order, providing the basic services expected of modern societies and promoting economic growth. India’s high-performing private sector has so far masked the failure of the Indian state.
In its current form, India’s parliamentary system can produce only non-performing, corrupt governments. It rewards ambition, promotes office-at-any-cost politics and devalues merit.
Taking away the prize of ministerial office from elected representatives might discourage wealth-maximizing politicians from entering politics. It is time, therefore, for India to consider introducing a presidential system of government, which would reduce the scope for “horse trading” and allow the country’s leader to select competent people for Cabinet positions.
Appu Soman is a fellow of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
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