Changing political economy of India within the global adjustment programme / pogrom: some critical gender issues.

This book chapter discusses some critical gender issues that arise in India from global structural adjustment programs (SAPs). The authors refer to President Francois Mitterands 1981 and 1994 warning that development should not be left to market forces. Market force development is likely to widen the gap between rich and poor nations and to reverse the flow of capital from developing to developed countries. In memory of the 1944 Breton Woods Conference Washington proposed new international strategies for building faster sustainable growth. It was argued that wealth was concentrated in developed countries and among the elite in developing countries. National sovereignty was subverted by the allied efforts of industrial financial bureaucratic and political elites in the name of free markets and democracy. UN conferences during the 1990s pointed out the ills injustice and inhumanity of the world order and appealed to the moral obligations of the international community. There is the appearance that social and human development monitoring will correct inequalities. In this context the authors discuss the role of the nations state Indias gender issues and potential options driven by Indian culture and alternative views. The authors recommend that India distinguish between the Gandhian concepts of need and want. India should refuse to adopt the "acquire and grab" philosophy of a consumer society and global market. India should "delink" from globalization and redefine the system of world prices and form alliances between developing countries. Womens multiple roles should be recognized in a restructuring of entitlements that favor women. India should strengthen and support its womens groups and grassroots movements among the disadvantaged. Networking between North and South womens groups should achieve the goal of gender-centered human development.