India uses democracy as an excuse for inefficiency, incompetence

Time Magazine. 30 July 07
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...624905,00.html


India Without the Slogans
By SIMON ROBINSON
Some excerpts from the above article.

....But the truth is that much of the new India is still like the old. One pointer: religious conflicts, which still hold modernizing India hostage....

.... Fixing problems is difficult in a democracy, argue Indian officials. True, compared to Beijing, which can decide to build a road today and start on it tomorrow, Indian authorities have to consult and win over the people. Many politicians use democracy, however, not to ensure that development is better than China's but as an excuse for inefficiency, incompetence and corruption. Indians who go to China for the first time return awed by its incredible transformation, and are strangely quiet when you ask if they believe India could soon be its equal.

I came to India looking forward to a place with a sense of momentum and hope. I knew India was still poor and frustrating as well as fascinating and exciting and full of great stories. I have found all those things, but I have also realized that parts of Africa have better services and infrastructure than India, and just as good prospects for development. It's just that Africa hasn't yet come up with a catchy slogan to sell itself. I hope it doesn't. Better to be surprised than disappointed.

umm..
I have to agree. I too think that we should change our democracy to something else.. May be a highbrid ..

ab batao kya kare?
Any solution to reform all this ?