Q: Elaborate the salient features and the role of middle class in India’s democracy and development.

Model Answer:

Indian Middle Class in Democracy and Development

The middle class in India has been a pivotal force in shaping the country’s democratic landscape and developmental trajectory since independence. This socio-economic group, characterized by its education, income levels, and aspirations, has been both a product and a driver of India’s modernization process.

Salient features of the Indian middle class:

• Heterogeneity: Comprises diverse groups including professionals, bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers
• Education: Generally well-educated, often with higher degrees
• Consumption patterns: Increased purchasing power and aspirational lifestyle
• Urban concentration: Predominantly located in cities and towns

Role in democracy:

1. Political participation: The middle class has been active in voting, civic engagement, and social movements. Indian sociologist Dipankar Gupta argues that the middle class acts as a “critical public” essential for democratic functioning. A.R. Desai further emphasizes their role in shaping India’s nationalist movement and post-independence politics.

2. Demand for governance: Middle-class citizens frequently push for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government functioning. Political scientist Yogendra Yadav notes their role in shaping India’s “second democratic upsurge.”

3. Media influence: With significant control over media narratives, the middle class shapes public discourse on various social and political issues.

Role in development:

1. Economic growth: As consumers and producers, the middle class drives economic activity. Yogendra Singh’s work on modernization in India highlights the middle class’s role in adopting and propagating modern values and practices, contributing to economic development.

2. Innovation and entrepreneurship: Middle-class professionals and entrepreneurs contribute significantly to technological advancements and start-up ecosystems.

3. Human capital: By prioritizing education and skill development, the middle class enhances the nation’s human resources.

M.N. Srinivas’s concept of “Sanskritization” illustrates how lower classes emulate middle-class practices, driving social and economic change. This process has contributed to the expansion and diversification of the middle class itself.

However, Satish Deshpande cautions against the middle class’s potential for promoting exclusionary policies and widening social inequalities.

Nonetheless, the Indian middle class remains a crucial force in the country’s ongoing journey of democratic consolidation and economic development, albeit with complex and sometimes contradictory impacts.