India Grows at Night A Liberal Case for a Strong State

Gurcharan Das new book "India Grows At Night" postulates a liberal case for a strong India, for a strong leadership and system that ensures swift governance and justice. Das' work is rooted in the enlightenment philosophy of 18th century thinkers like Adam Smith and John Locke. So Das' strong state is not the autocratic states of Stalin or Mao and not even Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew. The book is timely as the country seems to be embroiled in an endless web of financial irregularities and political uncertainties. It draws from the original conception of the liberal state, essentially a product of the enlightenment thought process. In Das' own words, "It has three pillars: One, the ability to take quick and collective action; two, that action is bound by the rule of law and three, that action is accountable to the people. In India's case, these three pillars often act against one another. It is the mark of a weak state."