When India got independence, there were many problems that the nation had to handle. One among these problems was which would be the best strategy for long-term development. Jawaharlal Nehru was the architect of planning in India.
He was inspired by the Soviet model of planning and was also inspired by the liberal principles of capitalism. He wanted to bring the two ideas together in India which was termed democratic socialism. For Nehru, democracy and planning had to go together. Planning was an integrated way to look at the needs of society.
It had to interlink production, consumption, employment, transport, education, health, social service, etc. Such a society enables the complete development of the personality of the individual. It is the responsibility of the state to direct its policy to secure a better distribution of ownership and control of the material resources of the community.
To protect the weaker sections, the state is also expected to control the distribution of essential commodities.
Democratic Socialism
Democratic socialism is having a socialist economy, where production is socially, collectively controlled or owned, along with a liberal democratic political system of government. This system rejects most self-described socialist states and Marxism-Leninism.
Nehru democratic socialism
The left politics have considered Nehru’s socialism as ‘Inadequate’ and Ring wing activists consider his Socialism as ‘Licence-Permit Raj’. Nehru’s socialism was evolutionary, inclusive and most importantly it was not based on class.
His socialism was democratic, which is committed to welfare and affirmative action. His model stressed the government to lead the public sector. He understood the value of local democracy. Also very well managed the local resources and mobilised in every possible way.
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