Development and Welfare Policy in South Asia

This book presents an in-depth enquiry into social policy and the politics of developmental welfare states in South Asia. South Asia, for the purpose of this book, comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. These seven countries have a similar institutional history and similar public policy institutions, notably powerful planning commissions which, in processes that vary in their degree of public consultation, define the country’s priorities and strategies with respect to overcoming poverty and hunger and enabling social inclusion. The strategies are cast in the form of five-year plans – a policy instrument that has been discontinued in many other developing regions.

This book examines whether there is a common policy “geography” across South Asia, and looks at the nature of each of the South Asian states in terms of their position on a spectrum ranging from welfare, developmental and rights-based states. Both historically and in terms of policy responses to the crises, South Asia strikes as a region with a common socio-economic policy identity. The role of the state and of public policy has been an important feature ever since these countries attained independence, as laid out in these countries’ constitutions, and as evidenced in the role of their respective state planning machineries. The state is tasked to advance economic growth and restructuring, as well as to deliver social, economic and political justice – this can be interpreted as taking on a developmental as well as a welfare role. This book therefore argues that there is a particular type of ‘developmental welfare state’ observed across South Asia.

This comprehensive book uniquely explores critical aspects of policy debates on a possible move from ‘welfare’ to ‘right’. It introduces students and researchers in development studies, social policy and South Asian studies to innovative welfare programmes in South Asia and gives a new perspective on the nature and patterns of welfare in South Asia with the view of tackling inequality and promoting well-being.

Deepta Chopra is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, UK. She focuses on policy processes, and has extensive experience in managing, designing, and understanding social protection and livelihoods programmes. Her work has primarily been on examining policy processes through the formation of a landmark legislation, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), India. Her expertise on state-society interactions has allowed her to engage with issues of power and participation and examine efforts to address poverty and vulnerability from the unique perspective of policy. Her current research interests include a focus on gendered political economy analysis of policies on unpaid care work; the design, implementation, and monitoring of rights-based policies (specifically public works); and policy diffusion of social protection policies across South Asia.

Gabriele Koehler is a senior research associate with UNRISD in Geneva and a development economist based in Munich. She studied at the universities of Munich, Tubingen, Regensburg, and Ottawa and has worked in senior positions with the United Nations at ESCAP, UNCTAD, UNDP, and UNICEF. She serves on several advisory boards in the field of international development, including the German UN Association (DGVN) and Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF). Her advisory work and research interests include the development agenda beyond 2015; human rights and human security; employment and decent work; and social policy and social protection in South and Southeast Asia.