A public welfare state can prioritise universal education and vocational training to equip young people for participation in a competitive global economy
South Asia is a region of immense cultural diversity and intricate socio-economic dynamics. Despite significant economic progress in recent decades, it continues to grapple with enduring issues of poverty, inequality and systemic marginalisation. Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal face the complex challenge of promoting economic growth while ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities. A strong public welfare state, rooted in the principles of inclusive progressivism, stands not only as an ambitious vision but as an essential framework for fostering sustainable and equitable development across the region.
The socio-economic fabric of South Asia is characterised by pronounced disparities. India, heralded as a global economic titan, nonetheless contends with over 10% of its populace subsisting below the international poverty threshold. Comparable deprivations pervade Pakistan and Bangladesh, where significant segments of the population lack access to fundamental services such as health care, education and potable water. Rural-urban divides, gender inequities and entrenched marginalization – manifested through caste in India or ethnic divisions elsewhere –exacerbate these disparities.
Yet, South Asia possesses immense potential, driven by a youthful demographic, with over 60% of its population under 30 years of age. This demographic dividend, if harnessed through equitable systems, could catalyse transformative economic and social progress. Without deliberate interventions to ensure universal access to education, health care and economic opportunities, these potential risks remaining unrealised.
In the South Asian context, a public welfare state denotes a government-led framework dedicated to the holistic well-being of its citizenry, emphasising universal access to essential services, fortified social safety nets and policies designed to mitigate inequality. Distinct from Western welfare paradigms, which often rely on robust taxation systems and entrenched bureaucratic structures, South Asia's model must be tailored to its unique realities: expansive informal economies, constrained fiscal capacities and diverse socio-political landscapes.
Inclusive progressivism, as the philosophical cornerstone of this framework, champions social justice, equity and the empowerment of marginalised communities while promoting sustainable economic growth. It explicitly rejects the notion of trickle-down economics, advocating instead for proactive state intervention to uplift the most vulnerable through comprehensive health care, quality education, robust social protections and inclusive infrastructure development.
The persistence of poverty and inequality underscores the urgency of a public welfare state. Over 200 million individuals in South Asia endure extreme poverty, with income disparities widening in nations such as India and Sri Lanka. A public welfare state can address these challenges through targeted interventions, including conditional cash transfers, food security programmes and subsidised health care. India's Public Distribution System exemplifies such efforts, delivering subsidised food to millions.
Central to inclusive progressivism is the empowerment of historically disadvantaged groups – women, lower-caste communities, indigenous populations and religious minorities. In Pakistan, female labour force participation languishes at 20%, while in India, it reaches only 30%. Initiatives like Bangladesh's Female Secondary School Stipend Programme demonstrate the transformative potential of welfare policies tailored to specific demographics.
South Asia's youthful populace represents a formidable engine for growth, contingent upon access to requisite skills and opportunities. A public welfare state can prioritise universal education and vocational training to equip young people for participation in a competitive global economy. India's Skill India initiative, while ambitious, suffers from inconsistent implementation and limited inclusivity. A commitment to inclusive progressivism would ensure that educational and training programmes extend to rural areas, women and disadvantaged communities, fostering a workforce reflective of the region's diversity. Unemployment benefits, disaster relief and expanded social protection programmes, as exemplified by Bangladesh's rapid response during the pandemic, can mitigate such vulnerabilities.
The establishment of a public welfare state confronts formidable challenges. Fiscal constraints, with government expenditure on health and education frequently falling below 5% of GDP in countries like Pakistan and India, limit the scope of ambitious welfare programmes. Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies further erode efficacy, as evidenced by leakages in India's food distribution system and deficiencies in Nepal's public health infrastructure. Political prioritisation of short-term populist measures often overshadows long-term welfare investments. To surmount these obstacles, South Asian governments must pursue innovative financing mechanisms, such as progressive taxation or public-private partnerships, while bolstering governance to ensure transparency and accountability.
The realisation of a public welfare state grounded in inclusive progressivism demands a multifaceted strategy. Universal health care and education systems must prioritise marginalized populations, drawing inspiration from Sri Lanka's equitable health framework. Social protection programmes, encompassing cash transfers, pensions and food security initiatives, should extend to informal workers, women and rural communities, building on Bangladesh's successes in microfinance and gender-focused interventions.
Infrastructure development, including rural roads and electricity, must connect isolated communities to economic and social opportunities. Decentralised welfare delivery can enhance community-level accountability, ensuring responsiveness to local needs. Digital platforms, such as India's Aadhaar system, can streamline service delivery. Through these concerted efforts, a public welfare state rooted in inclusive progressivism can redefine South Asia's trajectory, ensuring that progress is not only achieved but equitably shared across its diverse populace.
Dr. Kayastha, a Kathmandu based writer, hold a Ph.D. degree in Journalism and Mass Communication
