Prayag Mehta. Psychological Strategy for Alternative Human Development: India's Performance Since Independence.

Malik, Afia

Prayag Mehta. Psychological Strategy for Alternative Human Development: India's Performance Since Independence. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1998. 252 pages. Hardbound. Indian Rs 375.00.

A poor record of human development has left India not only far behind the developed countries but also the developing countries. Mehta presents a comprehensive account of the reasons for this failure and highlights a large number of inter-related issues which affect human development. The discussion on development programmes (for poverty alleviation, health-care, literacy, primary education, and protection of forests and environment) is based on secondary data as well as wide-ranging field discussions at the grassroots level. The analysis of these programmes points towards some dysfunctional systematic tendencies in their implementation which have significantly distorted them. Instead of pursuing the stated objectives of social development, the programmes have tended to alienate the people from the state. This behaviour is influenced by the traditional hierarchical values of superordination and subordination established in the social as well as in the administrative system. The book provides a conceptual framework for understanding such behaviours and values, and also the reasons for the state failures resulting in the denial of basic needs and rights to the people. Instead of empowering the people, these tendencies exhaust their energies, engendering low self-esteem and alienation.

In conclusion, the author suggests the psychological strategy for enhancing their self-esteem, personal efficacy, capability, and empowerment in order to accelerate both economic and social development in the country. Rather than totally ignoring the state, a combination of social mobilisation and active state intervention is proposed.

* By Afia Malik, Research Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, except where noted otherwise.