Political Brinksmanship and Performance

Political Brinksmanship and Performance

By: Amit Bhushan 23rd Dec. 2015

The political analysts in India have once again got glued to center. Which despite the rise in importance of leaders in various states, which politics has showed. What the ‘idiot box’ seems to be gloating is a particular small state leader is chief opposition and also seem to be ‘trying’ to perform, though with a queer and mixed bag of result, with the supposed failures being blamed on some of the specific political personalities. While we have another combative leader from a large state likely to go to polls rather soon, also in competition with some others cropping up as well on ‘event basis’.

What seems likely being missed is ‘’performance specifics’’ of such leaders as well as others in competition where as we have enough hullabaloo about the woes in various ‘’opposition ruled’’ states. The commercial news media would then blame the social media on its politics of ‘’rejection’’ or ‘’selection of the less rejected candidates’’ rather than selection of the right candidates. Of course it’s time to assess performance of states basis some defined metrics since almost ‘’all’’ parties in power, new as well as old, are likely to be completing one year soon. The budget in centre likely to be followed by budget in various states also sets the right backdrop, besides upcoming elections of course.

Of particular importance is how small businesses have fared since they are chief employment creators and procedural and legislative reforms around same; streamlining of state delivered subsidies; specific measures/project initiation as well as progress, to improve living conditions (like slum re-development); improvement in access and quality of education as well as reforms in systems amongst others like industrial and agri growth (for states where it matters more). Such assessments may have potential to clearly reveal whether some of the proposed reforms are being stalled for the sake of pushing the development case of the respective state or being hostage to purely political agenda. This may also reveal any marked contrast between the central leadership ruled states and others on defined parameters rather than sloganeering.

While there seems to be focus on various bills in legislature, take for example-real estate bills where there seems to be some sort of consensus; the debate around policy and procedures in different states seems to be total missing. So what is sought to be improved and what that improvement is likely to be, is almost always a matter of conjecture and interpretations; the way the politicians would perhaps like it to be rather than what the public may want to ‘’know’’ about. The independent media somehow seems to have no interest is bringing such subtleties of politics out in public however tonnes of verbosity may be dedicated to highly visible politically hidden individuals; and at the same time the media seems to be following some policy of not openly debating political progenies as well.

Co-relating some of such absurdities against stated policies and procedures, backed by hard facts and/or Data is left to mavericks in bureaucracy or academia to be put to political or legal use or for financial pundits; depending upon need. But the same is seldom brought up by commercial news media of its own volition for public consumption; which seeks to influence public basis individual stray cases leading to formulation of perception and other soft aspect. No wonder the statistic is the least preferred option in bureaucracy.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Political brinksmanship, a tactic often employed in legislative and executive contexts, involves pushing a situation to the verge of crisis in order to achieve a favorable outcome. This approach can have significant implications on the performance of governments and their ability to govern effectively. While brinksmanship can sometimes lead to breakthroughs and concessions, it frequently results in gridlock and dysfunction, undermining the public's trust in political institutions. In the United States, for example, the repeated use of brinksmanship during budget negotiations and debt ceiling debates has led to government shutdowns and near-defaults, severely impacting public services and economic stability. Similarly, in other democracies, the threat of withdrawing support or calling for early elections can paralyze decision-making processes and delay crucial reforms.

The performance of a government is often judged by its ability to manage crises and implement policies that benefit its citizens. When political brinksmanship becomes a norm, rather than an exception, it can erode the government's capacity to address pressing issues, such as healthcare reform, economic recovery, and environmental protection. Moreover, the constant state of tension and uncertainty can lead to a decrease in investor confidence, hinder economic growth, and exacerbate social divisions. In multiparty systems, the need to form coalitions and maintain alliances can further complicate governance, as each party may engage in brinksmanship to secure its agenda, leading to a fragmented and inefficient decision-making environment.

However, political brinksmanship is not always a negative force. In certain circumstances, it can serve as a powerful tool for underrepresented groups to gain attention and leverage for their causes. For instance, minority parties may use brinksmanship to highlight overlooked issues and force the majority to negotiate. This can lead to more inclusive and representative policy outcomes. Nevertheless, the balance between effective advocacy and disruptive behavior is delicate, and when brinksmanship is overused, it can undermine the very fabric of democratic governance, leading to a loss of public faith in the political system and a decline in overall governmental performance.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Political Brinksmanship and Performance

By: Amit Bhushan 23rd Dec. 2015

The political analysts in India have once again got glued to center. Which despite the rise in importance of leaders in various states, which politics has showed. What the ‘idiot box’ seems to be gloating is a particular small state leader is chief opposition and also seem to be ‘trying’ to perform, though with a queer and mixed bag of result, with the supposed failures being blamed on some of the specific political personalities. While we have another combative leader from a large state likely to go to polls rather soon, also in competition with some others cropping up as well on ‘event basis’.

What seems likely being missed is ‘’performance specifics’’ of such leaders as well as others in competition where as we have enough hullabaloo about the woes in various ‘’opposition ruled’’ states. The commercial news media would then blame the social media on its politics of ‘’rejection’’ or ‘’selection of the less rejected candidates’’ rather than selection of the right candidates. Of course it’s time to assess performance of states basis some defined metrics since almost ‘’all’’ parties in power, new as well as old, are likely to be completing one year soon. The budget in centre likely to be followed by budget in various states also sets the right backdrop, besides upcoming elections of course.

Of particular importance is how small businesses have fared since they are chief employment creators and procedural and legislative reforms around same; streamlining of state delivered subsidies; specific measures/project initiation as well as progress, to improve living conditions (like slum re-development); improvement in access and quality of education as well as reforms in systems amongst others like industrial and agri growth (for states where it matters more). Such assessments may have potential to clearly reveal whether some of the proposed reforms are being stalled for the sake of pushing the development case of the respective state or being hostage to purely political agenda. This may also reveal any marked contrast between the central leadership ruled states and others on defined parameters rather than sloganeering.

While there seems to be focus on various bills in legislature, take for example-real estate bills where there seems to be some sort of consensus; the debate around policy and procedures in different states seems to be total missing. So what is sought to be improved and what that improvement is likely to be, is almost always a matter of conjecture and interpretations; the way the politicians would perhaps like it to be rather than what the public may want to ‘’know’’ about. The independent media somehow seems to have no interest is bringing such subtleties of politics out in public however tonnes of verbosity may be dedicated to highly visible politically hidden individuals; and at the same time the media seems to be following some policy of not openly debating political progenies as well.

Co-relating some of such absurdities against stated policies and procedures, backed by hard facts and/or Data is left to mavericks in bureaucracy or academia to be put to political or legal use or for financial pundits; depending upon need. But the same is seldom brought up by commercial news media of its own volition for public consumption; which seeks to influence public basis individual stray cases leading to formulation of perception and other soft aspect. No wonder the statistic is the least preferred option in bureaucracy.

This political article is a masterclass in persuasive communication. The writer's writing style is remarkably incisive and authoritative, cutting through complex issues with clarity and conviction. There's a palpable sense of purpose in every sentence, driving the argument forward with intellectual rigor. The structure of the piece is strategically designed to build a compelling case, carefully introducing evidence and counterpoints in a way that maximizes their impact. Each section contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative, leading the reader towards a well-reasoned conclusion. Critically, the clarity with which the political landscape and proposed solutions are articulated is exemplary, leaving no ambiguity about the writer's stance or the implications of their analysis. This is not just reporting; it's a powerful and accessible contribution to public discourse.