Mathew Joseph C

Only two parties were allowed to contest the recent elections in Bhutan according to the draft constitution prepared by experts chosen by the king. Both parties ended up vying to show loyalty to the king and the ruling establishment. Even the draft constitution is meant to deflect international attention from the Bhutanese of Nepali origin who have been forcibly expelled and are living as refugees in eastern Nepal.

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Political Transition in Bhutan

Vol. 41, Issue No. 14, 08 Apr, 2006

Mathew Joseph C

The ethnic conflict and the consequent movement for democracy and human rights have led to a high degree of politicisation in Bhutan, cutting across ethnic lines. Further, ethnic assertions by people of Nepali origin in Bhutan have meant democratisation of the Bhutanese polity and society. The slow but definite transformation of Bhutan into a constitutional monarchy is the outcome of political struggles waged by the people since the late 1920s.

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Performance of the Southern States

Vol. 38, Issue No. 37, 13 Sep, 2003

Mathew Joseph C

This paper examines the performance of four southern states in various economic and social sectors during the past decade, comparing and contrasting them with each other and the average all-India figures in these sectors. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have done the most to initiate reforms in recent years. Kerala is moving in this direction too, after initial delays, as is Tamil Nadu. As the four states face several individual and common challenges in the coming years, they need to deepen reforms and tailor strategies in keeping with their particular circumstances, in their quest for growth.

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WTO and Indian Banking Sector: The Road Ahead

Vol. 37, Issue No. 24, 15 Jun, 2002

Mathew Joseph C, Rupa Rege Nitsure

Increasing globalisation of trade under the WTO has provided India with a new opportunity as well as a necessity to strengthen her efforts at reforming her domestic financial sector. The real issue before India is how to obtain the best deal for herself in the current round of negotiations while seeking to reform her financial sector. In this paper the authors have identified six major issues that will come up for consideration in this round of WTO negotiations and made recommendations for India's response strategy by appropriately drawing lessons from the global experience in the opening up of the banking sector.