The Reservation System in India

The Reservation System in India - An evaluation of political reservation and poverty reduction -

A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

of Georgetown University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Public Policy in Public Policy

By

Serena Kirubai Retna, B.A.

Washington, D.C. April 8th, 2011

Copyright 2011 by Serena Kirubai Retna All Rights Reserved

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The Reservation System in India - An evaluation of political reservation and poverty reduction ?

Serena Kirubai Retna, B.A. Thesis Advisor: Robert Bednarzik, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

Upon Indian independence, the Indian government's legitimacy became closely tied with its ability to integrate the large historically marginalized population into the mainstream Indian political institutions. Even before independence, Indian leaders started advocating for preferential treatment for groups that had experienced economic and socio-political discrimination based on the caste system. The 1950 Indian Constitution mandated representation for the marginalized groups in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Over the years, amendments to the Constitution expanded the requirements for minority representation in state and local governments, known as the Reservation System. This paper looks at effectiveness of the political Reservation System by looking at the correlation between democratic representation and the reduction of poverty among historically oppressed groups. The study indicates political representation for the Scheduled groups is correlated with increased poverty levels. However, land ownership and government expenditure on development are correlated with the reduction in poverty levels. Surprisingly, the state's GDP has little impact on the poverty levels.

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This work is dedicated to my parents: My mother who taught me compassion and service; My father who showed me the value of intellect and strength; and My Heavenly Father who gave me faith, hope, and love.

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Table of Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

Background ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Theoretical Perspective ................................................................................................................... 7

Marginalized v. Minority Populations ...................................................................................................... 7 Democratic Justice and Representation .................................................................................................... 9

Literature Review.......................................................................................................................... 10

Reservation Policies and Reduction of Poverty...................................................................................... 11 Political Representation and the welfare agenda .................................................................................... 11 Reducing Poverty.................................................................................................................................... 12 Cost of the Reservation System .............................................................................................................. 13

Hypothesis..................................................................................................................................... 14

Data ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Research Methodology ................................................................................................................. 15

Variables ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Dependent Variables to test change in poverty level.............................................................................. 17 Independent variables to test the impact of the Reservation System...................................................... 23

Regression Analysis...................................................................................................................... 25

Analysis of Findings ..................................................................................................................... 28

Reserved Seats ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Development Expenditure v. Net Domestic Product.............................................................................. 29 Ownership of Property............................................................................................................................ 31

Policy Relevance........................................................................................................................... 31

Appendix....................................................................................................................................... 33

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 42

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