Indian Express Editorial Summary
Topic 1: Together, step by step
GS-1 Mains : Women Empowerment
Revision Notes
Question : Analyze the concept of “Women’s Empowerment” as critiqued in the discourse on gender equality. Evaluate the implications of this critique on efforts to promote women’s agency and advancement in society.
Women’s Equity in Public Discourse
- Non-linear progress: Gains and setbacks are part of a continuous struggle against systemic misogyny.
- Global solidarity: Women’s movements are uniting across borders.
- Iranian women inspired by Afghan women and Kurdish chant “Women, Freedom, Life!”
- Mexican women supporting US women on abortion rights.
- Chilean protest song “The Rapist Is You” becomes a global anthem.
Critique of “Women’s Empowerment” Term:
- Problem: Term suggests women lack agency and receive power as a handout from men.
- Impact: Creates a sense of powerlessness in women.
- Solution: Focus on women’s strategies to gain power within existing systems.
Case Study: Sexual Harassment in Workplaces
- Problem: Women quit due to harassment, losing leadership positions.
- Motivation for Harassment: Eliminating female competition, not sexual desire.
- Impact: Affects entire workplace environment.
- Solution: Shift focus from protecting victims to punishing perpetrators.
- Challenge: Existing male leadership might be ineffective in addressing this.
- Call to Action: More women in leadership are needed.
Global Status of Women (UN Women Reports):
- Leadership:
- Only 27% of parliamentary seats, 36% of local government seats, and 28% of management positions held by women.
- Poverty: 8% of global female population survives on less than $2.15 a day.
- Labor Force Participation: Only 61% of prime working-age women participate, compared to 91% of men.
- Unpaid Care Work: Women globally will still spend 9.5% more time on unpaid care work than men by 2050.
- Legal Rights:
- 28 countries don’t have laws granting women equal rights in marriage and divorce.
- 67 countries lack laws prohibiting discrimination against women.
Conclusion:
- Women’s struggle goes beyond gender divide.
- It’s about changing societal norms men haven’t faced.
- Women need collective action, not handouts or dropping out.
Indian Express Editorial Summary
Editorial Topic 2: The recovery debate
GS-3 Mains : Economy
Revision Notes
Question : Examine the debate surrounding the use of Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as indicators of economic growth . Discuss Assess the reliability of GVA and GDP measurements in the context of India’s economic performance
Two Views on Growth Trajectory:
- View 1: Recent slowdown reflects fundamental flaws, requiring new policies.
- View 2: Sufficient reforms initiated a virtuous growth cycle. Counter-cyclical policies and supply-side actions needed to sustain it.
Arguments Against Growth:
- Downward revision of data: Not supported by actual upward revisions.
- Overestimation due to low inflation deflators: Doesn’t hold as high WPI inflation wouldn’t underestimate growth.
- Decelerating growth based on quarterly data: Doesn’t consider base effects (e.g., low growth in Q1 2020-21 creates a high base for subsequent quarters). Recent quarterly growth shows acceleration (Q3 2023-24 exceeding Q1).
Counter-arguments:
- Double deflation (needed for accurate measurement) not feasible: India lacks a services price index. Research suggests double deflation can under or overestimate growth. Continuous improvement is necessary.
- Non-comparability with past data due to improvements: Inevitable as the economy changes.
GVA vs. GDP as Growth Indicators:
- Critics argue lower GVA growth (6.5%) in Q3 2023-24 is more reliable than GDP growth.
- Counterpoint: Net product taxes are added to GVA to get GDP, reflecting government contribution.
- GDP measurement in India is robust from the production side. Discrepancies exist between production and expenditure side measurements in all countries.
Global Growth and Domestic Policy:
- Argument: India’s growth benefits from high global growth.
- Counterpoint: India didn’t perform well in 2019 despite good global growth, highlighting the importance of domestic policy.
Household Investment and Savings:
- Concern: Fall in household financial savings indicates low growth expectations.
- Counterpoint: Rise in household physical savings (investment) is ignored.
- Informal enterprises borrow to invest, leading to rising liabilities but healthier investment compared to the 2010s consumption binge.
Current Account Deficit and Investment:
- Current account deficit has fallen due to better financial intermediation.
- Healthy credit-led growth supported by a strong financial sector will raise savings as incomes rise.
- India’s private credit ratios are low compared to peers.
- Gross capital formation (32.2% of GDP in 2022-23) is not low and is driven by rising private capex.
Conclusion:
- India’s growth, controlled inflation, and poverty reduction suggest sufficient reforms have been implemented.
- Policy continuity is crucial for sustained private capex growth (CMIE data shows high new project investments in Q4 2023-24).