Bureaucracy refers to the administrative
machinery of the state. It encompasses the civil servants and public officials
responsible for execution of government. Besides administration, other
bureaucratic functions include providing policy advice, promoting interests and
helping achieve political stability.
Lee Kuan Yew, in his book "From the
Third World to First," wrote the complications faced by India under its
current structure of government. He analysed how the Indian bureaucracy coupled
with the existing caste system is a cause of hindrance to the country’s exponential
growth as a democracy.
In fact a report by Hong Kong-based
Political and Economic Risk Consultancy has named it to be the ‘worst bureaucracy
in Asia’. On a scale of one to ten, India scored 9.21 while Singapore, the best
bureaucracy (according to this survey) scored 2.25. Although, India has
achieved massive success by making itself the largest democracy of the world in
less than 70 years, its bureaucracy is well known for corruption owning to the
lack of accountability which gives bureaucrats immense power to work for their
own interests or, that of their political parties. In addition, the bureaucracy
is permanent. Hence, despite changing governments, the main administrative body
remains intact. This gives bureaucrats even more opportunity to amass and
maintain power.
Lee Kuan Yew, known as the founding father
of modern Singapore as well as the first Prime Minister of the country is
widely respected for his ideology and making Singapore what it is today. His
death last week is not only a reminder for Singapore of its hard earned past
but also, nations such as India to work upon their flaws to accomplish greater
success in the future.
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