| Title | Strategy and Vision in Politics. Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy choices and the designing of political institutions. |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr Jivanta Schottli |
| Category | Studies about Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Number of Pages | 410 |
| Language | English |
| File Size | 1.21 MB |
| File Type | |
| Country of Publication | Germany |
| Main Topics | The art and craft of policy-making. Epistemology, Theory and Methodology. Nehru, his world view (Nehru’s Formative Phase, Nehru’s Intellectual Context, The Cognitive Maps of Political Elites, Nehru on Religion and Secularism, Nehru on Economic Development and Socialism, Nehru on Foreign policy and Internationalism.) Contextualising Nehru: his contemporaries and ‘the structure of opportunities’ (Organisation of the Indian National Congress , Nehru as Congress President, Rajendra Prasad, Subhas Chandra Bose, Vallabhbhai Patel, Nehru’s position within the INC: 1947 – 1955 , Nehru as political entrepreneur: transforming the Congress-led movement into a political party. ). The Planning Commission, (The First Five Year Plan: negotiated consensus). The Panchasheela Agreement. the Hindu Code Bills. Conclusion, ..... |
Summary Note of this Document
Jawaharlal Nehru, India's Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, is widely recognized as a pivotal figure in shaping the modern Indian nation-state. Despite his significance, scholarly analysis of his policies as strategic political actions remains limited. This study argues that Nehru’s policies offer critical insights into the political dynamics of his era, reflecting both historical and institutional contexts as well as the values and interests that defined his vision. The 1950s marked a transformative phase for India, as the nation transitioned from British colonial rule to a post-colonial state, necessitating the adaptation of inherited institutions to new national priorities.
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This analysis focuses on three key policy initiatives: the establishment of the Planning Commission in 1950, the Sino-Indian Panchasheela Agreement of 1954, and the enactment of the Hindu Code Bills in 1955 and 1956. These policies embody the core tenets of Nehru’s vision for modern India—socialism, nonalignment, and secularism. By employing rational choice and new institutionalist theoretical frameworks, this study examines the origins, structure, and consequences of these policies. Through comparative analysis, it generates findings that shed light on policymaking during periods of national transition, highlighting the interplay of ideology, power, and institutional change.