Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Families Galore
South Asia is swamped with dynasties that have rarely contributed much to their countries'
well-being or development. They have played a dominant role in politics since before the
countries gained independence from Britain, and they survive partly because of strong
sophisticated sections of the electorate look up to them as icons and achievers beyond their
reach. Middle-class supporters respect their legacy and seem to subscribe to the principle
of the 'devil you know is better than one you don't', while the elite cling to them in order to
share their prestige and powers of patronage, which is especially important in status-con-
scious and influence-peddling societies.
In India, members of the Nehru-Gandhi family have resolutely clung to power at the
top of the Congress party and India's government for most of the years since Jawaharlal
Nehru became India's first prime minister, but the country would probably have been better
off without them. In Pakistan, the Bhutto family has led the Pakistan People's Party (PPP)
since the 1970s, but has done little for the good of the country. Bangladesh has been riven
by battles between two dynasties, while a dictatorial family is now running Sri Lanka.
These dynasties have provided what should have been transitional leadership as their
countries have developed political systems to replace colonial rule. Yet, while they have
helped to build or restore democracy at some stage of their history, they have thwarted the
emergence of other leaders and new ideas. The Nehru-Gandhis have blocked the top jobs
and internal democratic development of the Congress party, and have also imposed their
views on policy. Rahul Gandhi has tried to introduce democratic grassroots elections that
ultimately could transform the party and sideline his dynasty but, without his family in con-
trol, that would almost certainly have happened earlier. As Mark Tully, the veteran BBC
'For all its great achievements, the Nehru dynasty has stood like a banyan tree overshadow-
ing the people and the institutions of India, and all Indians know that nothing grows under
the banyan tree.'
Greed and corruption lie behind many dynastic ambitions. A large number of sons,
daughters and other relations of Indian politicians are now encouraged to enter politics by
their families and by political parties. They frequently run family business interests, which
is part of the reason for a surge of political dynasties in recent years. Their involvement
