06 May 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

E. Editorials

Category:INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. It is time to operationalise the Indian Defence University

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Mains: Need of Indian Defence University

Introduction:

• Thucydides famously remarked, “A nation that makes a distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.” This emphasizes the importance of integrating scholarly and military expertise.
• Other nations have established defense universities to enhance strategic thinking and academic rigor in their armed forces.
• Despite neighboring countries like Pakistan and China having multiple defense universities, India lacks one.

Professional Military Education (PME):

• The nature of war remains constant, but its character is continuously changing, necessitating a premium on military education.
• The U.S. example, particularly the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 and the reforms proposed by ‘Ike’ Skelton, highlights the significance of structured military education.
• Indian theaterisation goals align with the evolution of PME in the U.S., emphasizing the need for a well-constructed PME continuum.

Slow Progress in Establishing the Indian Defence University (IDU):

• The idea of a Defense Services University was mooted in 1967 and gained momentum after the Kargil conflict in 1999.
• Despite recommendations and ‘in principle’ approval in 2010, progress in establishing the IDU has been slow.
• While India boasts several training institutions for its armed forces, there’s a lack of an overarching integrated PME framework and a multidisciplinary approach to strategic thinking.

The Need for Operationalizing the IDU:

• The IDU would bridge existing gaps in India’s PME system by providing centralized military learning with a well-qualified faculty.
• Comparison between the IDU and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) is flawed, as their objectives and curricula differ significantly.
• Operationalizing the IDU is crucial for defense preparedness, fostering a strategic culture, and promoting inter-service integration.

Nut Graf: The absence of an Indian Defence University (IDU) raises concerns amid the changing nature of warfare. Other nations have established such institutions, highlighting the need for India to operationalize the IDU promptly.

Category:Economics

1. Make the poor richer without making the rich poorer

Syllabus: Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it

Mains: How to tackle Inequality in India?

Introduction:

• Election discourse in India has revolved around the concept of redistribution, with allegations of wealth confiscation and redistribution dominating political debates.
• Economic inequality is a pressing issue globally, necessitating discussions on bridging the wealth gap for a more just society.
• There are two primary approaches to addressing inequality: making the rich poorer, making the poor richer, or a combination of both.

Debating Redistribution:

• Misconceptions: Despite accusations of redistribution in political rhetoric, the actual manifesto lacks explicit mentions of such measures.
• Fundamental Issue: The widening economic gap between the rich and poor demands attention, irrespective of political affiliations or blame games.

Philosophical Differences in Approaches:

• Pareto Optimum vs. Growth: Developed nations often adopt a “Pareto” path due to slow growth, while developing nations have the potential for faster growth, influencing their approach to inequality.
• Systemic Fixes vs. Wealth Tax: Addressing inequality through taxing the wealthy or fixing corrupt systems presents differing perspectives on economic fairness.

Addressing Inequality in India:

• Economic Growth and Taxation: India’s inequality stems from imbalanced economic growth and taxation, with jobless growth exacerbating disparities.
• Policy Solutions: Rebalancing capital-labor dynamics through targeted policies like apprenticeships, employment incentives, and promoting labor-intensive activities.
• Taxation Reforms: Overhauling the taxation system to reduce the burden on the common person while ensuring equitable contributions from all sectors.
• Social Security Nets: Implementing welfare programs to support the poor until they can benefit from economic growth, funded through a combination of growth, tax reforms, and efficient welfare delivery.

Conclusion:

• Bridging the rich-poor gap in India requires a multifaceted approach, emphasizing economic growth, job creation, equitable taxation, and social welfare.
• Punitive taxation of the rich is deemed impractical and counterproductive, with a focus instead on making the poor richer without diminishing the wealth of the affluent.

Nut Graf: In the midst of political discourse on redistribution, addressing widening economic disparities in India necessitates a nuanced approach. Balancing economic growth, taxation reforms, and social welfare programs are key to making the poor richer without penalizing the wealthy.

Category:International Relations

1. An overview of Sudan’s civil war

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Prelims: Countries surrounding Sudan and regions in Sudan 

Context:

• Sudan’s identity crisis and history of rebellions stem from an inability to articulate a shared vision post-independence in 1956.
• The country has witnessed numerous coups and attempted coups, exacerbating internal conflicts and power struggles.
• Significant rebellions include the 56-year insurgency leading to the creation of South Sudan in 2011 and the Darfurian uprising in 2003.

Governing Structure and Marginalization:

• Sudan’s diverse population faces challenges due to the concentration of political and economic power in central regions like Khartoum.
• Achieving peace requires addressing the concerns of marginalized populations in conflict zones and deprived regions, including Darfur, South Kordofan, and the Nuba Mountains.
• Key issues fueling armed violence include marginalization, governance, resource sharing, religion-state relations, land disputes, and social justice.

Government Policies and Militarization:

• Sudan’s early governments emphasized an Arab and Islamic identity, leading to resistance and widespread discontent.
• The 1989 coup brought Omar al-Bashir to power, establishing an Islamist regime that employed internal security apparatuses and militias to suppress dissent.
• The al-Bashir regime’s reliance on Janjaweed militias to quell insurgencies in Darfur and other regions contributed to the militarization of the state.

Transition and Continued Conflict:

• Despite a transitional government established in 2019, challenges persisted, leading to a failed coup attempt in 2021 and subsequent power struggles.
• The emergence of the Rapid Support Forces as a powerful militia, particularly under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), complicated Sudan’s transition to democracy.
• Hemedti’s rise to vice presidency and the militarization of economic ventures further entrenched militia dominance, leading to armed confrontations and instability.

Future Prospects and Recommendations:

• Sudan requires international collaboration for reconstruction and establishing a transparent, civilian-led government that represents all Sudanese.
• Urgent action is needed to address the root causes of conflict and ensure the inclusion and protection of all citizens in the post-colonial state.

Nut Graf: Sudan’s civil war stems from a history of governance failures and identity crises. Rooted in marginalization and militarization, the conflict persists despite transitional efforts, necessitating urgent international intervention for inclusive reconstruction and peacebuilding.

Q1. Consider the following statements;

Q2. ‘Darfur’ often seen in news is located in:

Q3.Consider the following statements with respect to Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

Q4.Consider the following statements with respect to Gaza Strip: