The Pretty Good Principles (PGP) are fundamentally at odds with the principles that the Indian government currently follows. The intrusion of the government into areas where it does not belong harms the national interest. It is a “maximal government.”
Maximal Government
- The government is involved in airlines, railways, power generation, oil and natural gas, heavy machinery, telecommunications, education, and so on. These can be more efficiently and effectively provided by the private sector.
- No protection for the individual. The government is too powerful and the individual has severely limited or no recourse against the government.
- Very limited freedom of expression. The print media is somewhat free but not totally free. The government still prohibits the publication of certain books and the expression of certain views. Private television is allowed current events programming but private radio is prohibited from news and current affairs programming.
- People are treated unequally. People get privileges based on their group affiliations – religious, caste, etc.Certain groups are taxed and the proceeds are used for buying the affiliation of other groups.
- Groups are privileged over individuals. People face discrimination in jobs and public assistance because of their group membership.
This is what we need to change in India.
