Economic Populism and Political Power: Analysing the Electoral Impact and Fiscal Risks of Freebie Schemes in Indian States
Keywords:
Economic PopulismAbstract
India’s politics often uses economic tools like cash gifts and free services. These are called “freebies” or “revdi.” They help people right away, especially women. But they also change how people vote, how parties compete, and how much money the government has. This paper looks at how these policies affect politics. It uses Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY) as an example. It also compares it to schemes in other states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The paper says these schemes help parties win votes but can hurt the economy in the long run. They lead to more debt and less money for important things like roads and schools.
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References
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