Watch the full video of the CPR-CSH (Centre de Sciences Humaines) workshop (above), featuring Eric Verdeil on ‘Reforming Failed Infrastructure, Struggling for the State: Lessons from Lebanon’.
The talk considers infrastructure as a site for the examination of urban governance in Lebanon, in a context of failure of the state to provide basic public services such as electricity and waste. The argument is threefold. First, public infrastructure is a site of political struggle. Political actors seek to make infrastructure serve certain political and social interests, demonstrating their belief that these state institutions and instruments produce a range of effects worth competing for. Second, the talk challenges the view that neoliberalism and sectarianism are radically narrowing and marginalising the state and its institutions. Third, despite failing to deliver the expected service outcomes, the complex assemblage of more-or-less reformed infrastructural policy instruments produces strong social effects in terms of wealth distribution. These instruments accentuate Lebanese society’s gaps and inequalities. This outcome is largely unintended, as is often the case with public policy instruments. It is a product of the work of state institutions, however, and not proof of their absence. To make this argument, this talk explores urban services in Beirut through the main types of instruments that successive governments and their advisers—commonly from the World Bank and other international organisations—have adopted for their reform: the geographic boundaries of the zones where urban services are organised; the services’ financing instruments, such as subsidies and pricing; and public-private partnerships.
Eric Verdeil is Professor of Geography and Urban Studies at Sciences Po, Paris and researcher at the Centre for International Research (CERI).
The question and answer session that followed can be accessed here.
Find all available videos of previous workshops here.
Watch the full video of the CPR – CSH (Centre de Sciences Humaines) workshop (above), which seeks to explore how Bhisti experience the state, its policies and politics of employment and challenge them, through the experiences of a Bhisti community leader.
This talk reflects on contested sanitary workers recruitment in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, to explore a Muslim biraderi of Bhisti’s (water carriers) struggle to gain legal right to municipal job and the state’s attempt to ignore it. Despite reservation in municipal sanitary worker job, Bhisti recruitment has stopped since 1982. The community’s claims and attempts to assert and defend their rights have fallen on deaf ears, contested not only by different levels of bureaucracy and politicians but also by their Hindu counterparts, the Dalit sanitary workers.
The talk demonstrates how city politics and political infightings between councillors and party members variously impact the process of recruitment through the institutional and regulatory system, particularly contesting the applicants’ rights as citizens, and symbolically and materially marking their socio-economic deprivation.
Gayatri Jai Singh Rathore is an urban ethnographer. She holds a PhD in Political Science from SciencesPo/CERI. Her ethnographic work is concerned with examining the workings of waste disposal, materials recovery and recycling. Her current work focuses on circulation of ‘discarded’ objects and the specific notions of value attached to it.
The question and answer session that followed can be accessed here. Find all available videos of previous workshops here.
Watch the full video of the CPR – CSH (Centre de Sciences Humaines) workshop (above) on ‘Urban Mobility and Dengue in Delhi and Bangkok: What Can We Learn from Online Data?’ featuring Alexandre Cebeillac.
Emerging vector-borne diseases such as dengue intensify public health crises in the Asian mega cities of Bangkok (Thailand) and Delhi (India). The links between mosquitoes and the urban environment are well documented, but our understanding of human movement, as a key element of virus spreading, has yet to be fully explored as a research subject.
Given the paucity in adequate or available institutional data, our research first focused on field surveys, and then on the collection, comparison and critique of data collected from major Internet platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Google, Microsoft). Their potential varies from one geographical area to another, still they shed light on the organisation and structure of the studied cities. Moreover, they highlight intra-urban interactions and time frames.
However, such studies cannot be carried out without knowledge acquired from the field. Using the concept of activity space, we propose a method that uses Twitter data and field surveys to model the daily schedules of individuals, thus offering insights into mobility patterns. This is a first step in the development of an agent-based model of individual mobility.
Alexandre Cebeillac recently defended a PhD in Geography from the University of Rouen (France) and CSH in New Delhi. His work focuses on urban mobilities in Delhi and Bangkok.
The question and answer session that followed can be accessed here. Find all available videos of previous workshops here.
Britan’s exit from the European Union or Brexit analysed in a series of commentaries by CPR faculty below:
In India and the re-aligned movement, Shyam Saran contextualises how Brexit is another phase in the marginalisation of the European Union; analyses the impacts of globalisation and the geopolitical consequences of Brexit; and comments on how India should respond in a shifting global terrain.
In another interview on Rajya Sabha TV, Shyam Saran again talks about how Brexit needs to be understood in the context of the fragmentation of the global economy since the financial crisis of 2008 and the argument that globalisation has benefited the elite, including how India should respond.
Writing in The Indian Express, Pratap Bhanu Mehta analyses whether Brexit is reflective of only British affliction or ‘does it portend a more global anger against the governing structures of our time?’
In The Times of India, Rajiv Kumar writes how the Indian economy can deal with the consequences of both Rexit (Raghuram Rajan’s exit) and Brexit.
CPR faculty comment on Hindutva and the beef ban below:
Shyam Saran writes that the idea of a digital India driven by the Prime Minister’s vision of technological advancement and that of a narrowly defined Hindu India are at odds with each other. And if not reigned in, the ‘negative trends will, sooner or later, overwhelm the pursuit of modernity’.
In a piece in the Open Magazine, Shylashri Shankar writes that the beef ban is a means to ‘create a homogenous identity of an Indian’.
In Iqbal’s Wrong Turn, Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes that limiting the idea of toleration ‘within the paradigm of religion rather than individual rights’ has led to tragic consequences for Pakistan, and now India is going down the same path.
Sanjaya Baru explores the idea of ‘developmental Hindutva’ and whether the BJP can combine the ‘vigorous pursuit of economic growth’ with an idea of Hindutva that is ‘inclusive’ instead of divisive.
Countering Sanjaya Baru’s idea of an ‘inclusive Hindutva’, Rajshree Chandra writes in the Indian Express that Hindutva thrives under ‘majoritarian assertion’ defeating both ‘individual rights’ and a ‘liberal polity’.
CPR faculty comment on India’s border standoff with China in the Doklam plateau in Bhutan
A CURATED ANALYSIS
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS SECURITY
As the stand-off between India and China in the Doklam plateau region of Bhutan continues after China tried to unilaterally build a defence class road in this disputed trijunction, a move which has particular significance for the Siliguri corridor – a vital transport artery to the North-East – read curated commentary by CPR faculty below.
Shyam Saran advises on the importance of a calm and measured approach by India toward China in the Doklam stand-off, both taking Bhutan’s interests and the changing India-China relations, where the latter is seeking India’s deference to its pre-eminence in the South Asian region, into account. He also appeared in an interview on NDTV (above) and re-iterated the importance of deescalating the standoff through a dialogue process.
Brahma Chellaney analyses China’s play of camouflaging offense as defense as a part of their aggressive strategy of expansion. In another piece, Chellaney asserts that China is backing itself into a corner, with no posssibility of favourable results, as it continues the psychological warfare against India. In further analysis, Chellaney warns, that unless India responds appropriately to the Chinese psychological warfare, it may suffer long-term consequences which extend beyond Doklam. Chellaney also analyses the strategic role played by Tibet in China’s expansionist policies. Further, he analyses China’s use of disinformation and the motives of its psychological warfare against India and Bhutan.
Srinath Raghavan analyses China’s motives at the political and strategic level. He also emphasises the need for India to demonstrate strategic creativity and diplomatic agility to address the core interests and primary concerns of both sides. In another article, Raghvan suggests that realistic diplomacy requires that India and China move toward a mutual restraint pact, and deconstructs the elements of such a pact
Brahma Chellaney appeared on an NDTV India panel and analysed China’s anger, ambitions and the psychological warfare being waged by it in the Doklam plateau.
Zorawar Daulet Singh analyses the various options available to both India and China, and concludes that much depends on wider geopolitical factors and how each side evaluates its relative position in the international environment. Singh also comments on how the current crisis is the manifestation of a steep decline in the Indo-China relationship over the past few years in an interview with Radio France Internationale.
Shyam Saran speaks to India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai on escalating tensions between China and India and how New Delhi can help thaw relations with Beijing.
Bharat Karnad praises India’s tactical restraint in the current standoff against China. He further writes that the situation is not likely to escalate anytime soon.
G Parthasarathy analyses how the Indian government’s show of independence and strength along its borders, along with the coinciding reaffirmaion of the growing India-US relationship has rattled China.
Sandeep Bhardwaj asserts that India should recognise that the ultimate goal of this standoff is not to settle the immediate future of the Doklam plateau but to reassure Bhutan of the credibility of India’s commitment, and should therefore, respond to China accordingly.
Shyam Saran gives a talk on the Doklam standoff in the larger context of a changing world order and China’s global hegemonic ambitions. The talk was hosted by the Institute of Chinese Studies and was titled Is a China-Centric World Inevitable?
Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes that while a quiet compromise will be ideal for both sides, it will not be easy, as China appears keen on escalating the standoff.
Shyam Saran writes that, in order to counter China, India must develop good ties with and remain acutely sensitive to the interests of its South Asian neighbours, particularly Bhutan.
Shyam Saran writes on the need for India to push back against China’s claims of being Asia’s ‘natural leader’.
Srinath Raghavan debunks the Chinese claim of the Sikkim-Tibet border being ‘already settled’.
Doklam may bring India closer to Bhutan, writes Sandeep Bhardwaj.
Brahma Chellaney calls the Chinese ‘bully’s bluff’.
Doklam is turning out to be a classic ‘game of shadows’, writes Nimmi Kurian.
Sanjaya Baru writes on the gap between China’s geo-economic power vis-a-vis its geo-political capability.
Brahma Chellaney warns that New Delhi cannot overlook the fact that China has been systematically mobilising domestic and international support for a possible war with India.
Shyam Saran interviewed on the road ahead for India-China relations in light of the Doklam standoff.
China’s modus operandi has been to wage stealth wars, which gives an indication as to where tensions with India may lead, writes Brahma Chellaney.
Though the Doklam terrain favours India, it should offer China a face-saver, writes G Parthasarathy.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) India in April 2018 and invited public comments. CPR researchers while welcoming the government’s move to introduce an action plan with nation-wide applicability to address air pollution, have expressed their concern that the NCAP does not adequately respond to the enormity and urgency of this national crisis. In particular, they are of the view that the government needs to reconsider the NCAP in the context of three major issues:
Balancing the need for knowledge and data creation, with other, more immediate, measures for pollution abatement
A focus on effective implementation of pollution prevention and mitigation measures
Strengthening the existing regulatory framework governing air quality
AN ANALYSIS
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS SECURITY POLITICS
As the strikes carried out by the Indian army in Myanmar continue to be debated, CPR faculty comments on different aspects:
Pratap Bhanu Mehta analyses the political narrative around the Myanmar operations, and the “politics of messaging in different frames” in The Indian Express.
G Parthasarathy, who previously served as ambassador to Myanmar, comments on how the government embarrassed the President of Myanmar, both on NDTV and India Today.
In this audio recording Bharat Karnad talks about whether the strikes are redefining India’s counter terrorism strategy.
Anna Agarwal is a Fellow at CPR, where she works on India’s energy demand patterns, and ways to lock-in a low-carbon energy trajectory. Her work currently focuses on residential electricity demand, particularly the cooling demand which would be a substantial driver of future energy needs and carbon emissions. To this end, she recently co-authored new research that answers a set of fundamental questions about energy-efficient cooling use in urban India.
Prior to joining CPR, she was at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (India office). She has also held research appointments at the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, the MIT Energy Initiative, and the Energy and Power Division of the Planning Commission, Government of India. She holds a PhD and a SM degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an undergraduate degree from IIT Delhi.
In this edition of CPR Faculty Speak, Agarwal talks about her work and interests at CPR, why they matter, what impact she hopes to achieve and more.
Tell us about your research work and interests at CPR
My research looks at urban energy demand transitions in India, in particular how energy consumption is changing in urban households. Cooling-related energy demand – which will shape India’s future energy demand– is a key focus area of my work. More recently, I am also looking at how COVID-induced lifestyle changes, such as work from home, might affect long-term energy demand patterns.
Why does this issue interest you?
When we talk about decarbonising the energy sector to meet climate objectives, demand-side measures have not received the same level of attention as supply-side interventions. But demand-side efficiency measures can decarbonise at a lower cost, and have more co-benefits with development compared to supply side interventions. In India, it is even more important to focus on energy demand. With increasing summer temperatures, rapid urbanisation and rising incomes, changes in energy consumption will happen in a short window of time, so it is important to make consumption more efficient to lock-in a long-term low-carbon pathway.
How have these issues evolved in the country and globally over the years?
It is only recently that the global climate debate has recognised the importance of complementing supply-side energy interventions with demand-side efficiency measures. In India, energy demand has more than doubled in the last twenty years, and is set to increase dramatically in coming years. Cooling energy demand is expected to be fifteen times by 2050 – making India the world’s largest energy user for cooling, as per the International Energy Agency. This huge growth in energy demand will come at the cost of a substantial increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
What impact do you aim to achieve through your research?
Through my work, I aim to shed light on rapid demand transitions, and help identify policy interventions that can address the dual goals of improved energy access for socio-economic well-being and limiting the carbon footprint.
What are you currently working on and why is it important?
We are analysing findings from a 2000-household survey done in Delhi to understand cooling practices and their transitions. Our recently published paper in Environmental Research Letters explores the ‘what, why, and how of changing cooling energy consumption in India’s urban households.’ We are now working on a second research paper based on the same dataset.
We are also working on understanding the role that smart meters can play in managing residential electricity demand. India is planning to do a massive rollout of smart meters with the goal of replacing 25 crore conventional meters with smart meters. Smart meters monitor real-time electricity consumption, and present a unique opportunity to get accurate estimates on household electricity demand profile. This can aid the distribution companies in designing targeted demand management programs, such as time-of-use tariffs to reduce peak demand. Also, access to systematic real-time data on electricity consumption could help households make energy-efficient consumption decisions.
What does a typical day look like for you at CPR?
The majority of my time is spent on research, which would be a mix of office work and field work, depending on the nature of the ongoing project. A typical day at CPR – in a ‘typical’ time – would also have a couple of meetings, which mostly tend to occur in smaller groups to discuss work, with larger group meetings once or twice a week. I also sometimes attend or participate in panel discussions and roundtables hosted by CPR or external groups. What I miss most during these pandemic times is the many short conversations that we would have with colleagues through the day over coffee and lunch.
To know more about Anna Agarwal’s work and research, click here.
Arkaja Singh is a Fellow at CPR and a part of the State Capacity Initiative, where she is responsible for developing a new programme of research on state capacity in Indian cities. Her areas of interest include municipal government, informal settlements, land, water and sanitation (and especially the issues around sanitation labour and manual scavenging), and the interface of law and the Indian administrative state. She studied law at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and has a LL.M. from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.
In this edition of CPR Faculty Speak, Singh talks about her work and interests at CPR, why they matter, what impact she hopes to achieve and more.
Tell us about your research work and interests at CPR.
My research work is quite diverse, and includes a lot of seemingly different things, but it is tied together by my interest in the Indian state, and particularly in the regional and intra-state dynamics of welfare, governance and reform. At this point, I am involved in a study of the Indian regulatory state, in which I want to know what type of state the Indian regulatory authorities really are from the perspective of their formative histories and the scope of their powers and functions.
Last year, I spent some time looking at the problem of hunger and the delivery of rations and cooked food for migrant workers in the time of the lockdowns as a question of state capacity. My starting point in this inquiry was to find out why governments needed various forms of documentary identification, even to deliver emergency relief. My research led me to see how little room there is for administrative discretion in the design of welfare, and how this comes in the way of governments being able to respond to the particular needs of an unforeseen situation. A framework of rules that allows for sensible use of discretion could potentially lead to better outcomes.
I was also recently involved in some work on water federalism, in which there is an idea that state-level control of water resources is unhelpful to the sustainable management of water. I thought it might be useful to look at the history of environment law-making in India, to see how it is possible to advance policy in new areas within the federal structure. In some of my other work, I have looked at the interface of law, technology and sanitation, and the ways in which the failure of law to respond to technology contributes to the persistence of manual scavenging. I also have a long-standing and abiding interest in the legal and policy frameworks of urban governance, municipal services, and informal land and settlements.
Why does these issues interest you?
I am interested in the political economy of the Indian state, but at the same time I also interested in the arcane and subject-specific detail of policy, law and administration. I studied law, and my legal education influences how I think of the problems of the Indian state. I like for my work to be of practical value, and for this it is important to get into the detail of things. But I don’t think making better law or policy can ever be a purely technical exercise. It is important to be able to think critically about the state and about state power.
How has this issue evolved in the country and globally over the years?
I started my professional life in the period after liberalisation, when a lot of things were changing in the government. However, there was never any universal consensus around this, and one of the more interesting things about working with the Indian state is how much things are debated, challenged and even radically transformed at every level. In my own work, I have seen a lot of state-level and inter-organisation dynamics at play, and this sometimes creates spaces for more inclusive policy choices that might not have happened otherwise.
However, on the other hand, in this entire period we have been stuck with the idea of minimal government, which translated into recruitment freezing and very low budgets for lower levels of government. And with the notion that computers and technology can take the place of human decision-making. I am not advocating that we remain stuck in a time warp, but human beings and organisations matter. I will give you an example from sanitation, where the solution offered for unsafe waste disposal is improved policy declarations and geospatial tracking systems, but with a vague idea that the market will take care of the actual solution. The policy discourse is still quite unwilling to deal with the public nature of the problem, or to fully articulate the role of the state in dealing with this problem.
What impact do you aim to achieve through your research?
I hope my work contributes to making government more comprehensible and accountable, and in this way, leads to dialogue, public discourse and opening up of more avenues of engagement with the state. The term state capacity is used to describe many things, but it is my understanding that state capacity should co-exist with democratic values.
What does a typical day look like for you at CPR?
In the time before COVID-19, the State Capacity Initiative was newly formed, and we spent a lot of time formulating our programme of work and thinking about our projects. We were lucky to have had that time to work together in meeting rooms, because although we have developed a sense of community and shared workspace in our Zoom meetings, I miss having intense face-to-face discussions about things we all cared about. The pandemic laid to waste our carefully made research plans, but we were lucky in being able to pick up and modify some of what we had developed to suit the vastly changed circumstances.
Now, in COVID-times we still meet every week, and we might have a few more sub-project meetings through the week, but it is of course all virtual. This helps us keep in touch with what everyone is doing, and provides an opportunity for some free-flowing discussion about what we’ve been thinking and doing in the past week. We also have a few text message exchanges and unplanned phone calls in the course of the week. My working day mostly includes reading and writing and some emails. I might also attend or participate in webinars and online meetings. But my days are uneven, I respond well to deadlines and get much more done when I have tight external deadlines than when I don’t. This is even more so in the world of work-from-home.
To know more about Arkaja Singh’s work and research, click here.
