Missing In Action: Why You Should Care About Public Policy

by Pranay Kotasthane, Raghu S Jaitley

In Search of an Adarsh Indian State

In India, public policies are all around us. Despite this pervasiveness, yeh public sab nahin jaanti hai (the public doesn't know it all).

Questions are rarely asked of the Indian State—the institution that makes rules, bends them and punishes others for breaking the laws it creates. The privileged can afford not to think about the State because we have given up on it. The not-so-privileged have resigned themselves to a State that provides short-term benefits.

Either way, we seldom pause to reflect on why the Indian State works the way it does.

Missing in Action aims to change such perceptions through sketches from everyday experiences to illustrate India's tryst with public policymaking. It acquaints the reader with some fundamental concepts of the public policy discipline. It explains the logic (or the lack of it!) of the Indian State's actions, shortcomings, constraints, and workings.

Jargon-free and accessibly written, the book achieves the difficult task of both entertaining and educating.


There have been many books about Indian society, but none so far about the Indian state. Missing in Action fills that gap, and how! Kotasthane and Jaitley are two of our finest thinkers, and their writing combines a surgeon's precision with a poet's art of revealing the unseen. They paint both the big picture and the small details. This book is a masterpiece that will be essential reading 50 years from now. If you want to understand India, you should read Missing in Action .

Amit Varma, Creator of The Seen and the Unseen Podcast and The India Uncut Blog

Missing in Action is a thoroughly engaging, entertaining, and educational book. The book helps readers understand why the Indian State is the way it is-powerful yet ineffective, well-intentioned yet weak, and ambitious yet underperforming. A must-read for everyone!

Rohini Nilekani, Philanthropist, Author of Samaaj Sarkaar a citizen-first approach

The policy outcomes are the result of the three important society, market and the Government. This wonderful book by Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S. Jaitley beautifully tells you why and how this happens. Their pedagogical strategy is deceptively simple but very effective. The book has many real-life examples of both policy triumphs and disasters in our country and the authors lucidly explain the how and why. I would urge you to read this remarkably perceptive book that is analytically rich while making the learning ride very enjoyable.

Vijay Kelkar, Chairman, Thirteenth Finance Commission and former Finance Secretary, Government of India

Genres: India, Nonfiction, Economics, Politics, Society

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2023

Reviews

[E.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, Pavan Srinath & co. of the Takshashila institution created the best political podcast in India (and maybe the world) - "The Pragati Podcast". Totally non-partisan, without any ideological baggage and centrist - in the sense that they understood the conflicting ideals of liberalism, equality and fraternity (I repeat myself). So, when they came out with a book on public policy, I had to pick it up !
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Consider this as a (slightly) light-weight or small plate version of what they served in Pragati. People who are new to public policy and political discussions can easily understand the concepts explained in the book. And they have tried to keep the language lucid and informal as much as possible without being simplistic or talking down to others.
There have been a few other books on Indian public policy recently, and after reading this you may want to read In Service of the Republic: The Art and Science of Economic Policy which to go deeper.
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Guys, please restart the Pragati Podcast. Really miss it !

[Suman Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a text book, though it has many frameworks and teaches you how to think about the issues facing India. It is not a set of opinion pieces, though the authors do express their thoughts. This is a book that will help you clarify your own thoughts on Samaaj, Sarkar and Bazaar. Excellent book.

[Manikanta Avinash · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book did not talk about what I expected it to be about, it is an interesting book in the sense that it tells how much powerful the current government has become! They clearly are anti establishment but they tried to make their narrative seem as much neutral as possible ! Is it because they want legitimacy to their book and not be treated as some leftist elite or is it fear of establishment? You never know. Nevertheless an interesting book that I did learn an few things from. If you are into India politics and care about government, you can give it a try.

[Lohit Namboodiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book which discusses public policy from the vantage points of State (run by govt), markets and Society..
Loved the narrations, especially of the last two parts (Bazaar and Samaj). First part had some dull sections..

For a person who is mostly detached from political discussions, this had a lot of interesting view points on how public policies affect different aspects of society and how to think about evaluating a new policy.

Recommend reading! :)

[Vishwesh Jirgale · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Missing In Action" is a compelling exploration of the vital role that public policy plays in shaping society. Through insightful analysis and engaging anecdotes, the authors make a compelling case for why every citizen should be actively engaged in understanding and influencing public policy.

What sets this book apart is its emphasis on the importance of citizen participation in the policymaking process. Well-informed and engaged citizens are essential for holding governments accountable and driving positive change.

This makes us think about how we can become active participants in shaping the policies that affect our lives. Whether you're a seasoned policymaker or a concerned citizen, this book is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of their community.

[Sampath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! The books authors are public policy experts and the aim to break down the role of the State, Markets and Society in our lives with the Indian context in mind. They also look at the role of a State in markets and society through the lens of public policy.

The first part of the book addresses the 'omniabsent' Indian State. This section tries to establish why the Indian State is overambitious and tries to do too many things while failing at crucial areas like education and healthcare.

The second part talks about the role of markets in our lives and how the State interacts with the markets and why certain interventions backfire.

The final section grapples with how the State and society interact. This section tries to outline how when the Indian state was established it was meant as a reformist State and has a nuanced discussion on why this may lead to both good and bad outcomes.

Each section goes through several examples of how the State makes policies with good intentions but they backfire or don't work because of unintended consequences, lack of state capacity or because the state is not trying to address the core problem and is trying to make bandaid fixes.

[Hariharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer on why the government struggles to deliver and be more effective. Good read for all concerned citizens.

[Pankaj Naik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for understanding India

Very well articulated and well balanced book. Uses simple frameworks to understand why and how of India - it's government, society and it's history. Use of Bollywood phrases and instances makes it lighter as well.

[Anshuman Singh 'त्रिशंकु' · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who is interested in policy discourse in India!

[Himanshu Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A public policy book that cites Hazari prasad Dwivedi ! Kudos to the well read writers ... Let me start with a review.

H. L. Mencken expressed: “There is always an easy solution to every human problem — neat, plausible and wrong.” And, that is why we must read - Missing In Action: Why You Should Care About Public Policy. Simply put, this book argues, and very convincingly I must admit, that public policy is often neglected by the general populace, despite being a driving force behind many of the societal changes, challenges, and opportunities that we Indians face. Public Policy must have clear engagement of society, market and state to stop leaders falling into trap of the neat, plausible and wrong solutions. Disengagement from the public policy or from overbearing state is not a luxury the public can afford. Such is the callous nature of the Indian state that the one thing that is missing from it is the only thing that matters the most: people.

In theory, an inclusive economic institution is a combination of the state and the free markets working together, where the people’s voice is actively heard and acted upon by the leaders of the state. The more complex a system is made, the more ways are found by the stakeholders to circumvent the rules, sometimes even at the expense of the people. Indian state has been thinly spread with multiple objectives and designed to rule the people, not to serve them. The remedy recommended: Indian state should do a few things well instead of many things badly.

Some readers looking for a deep dive into specific policy issues may find the book lacking in detailed analysis. It is more of a primer than a comprehensive policy handbook.

[Sambhram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of the most engaging books to read on the introductions to public policy and its derailments in India. The concepts are explained clearly with story like structure depicting policy case studies and its consequences. The samaaj, bazaar, sarkaar structure has become a paradigm in our everyday conversation (from Rohini Nilekanis book). A couple of things to be noted, the book does not entail the policy successes in India, which was a bit annoying. Understanding policy failures gives you only one perspective of what not to do. Infact, policy successes give a view of what actually works on the field and thereby learning and implementing other policies becomes easier. Policies are implemented at large scale and not discussing its successes, was disappointing. In the later part of the book, it feels like the authors targeted political hinduism and somehow conveniently pushed their misunderstandings of hinduism altogether. Their understanding of Hinduism seems to come from the books they read and not engaging with the experts. They definitely talk about changing India as a nation with better policies and governance, but don't see the point of Hinduism and its existence in today's world in the first place. Would urge the authors to question this viewpoint as they do so about everything else in the book.

[Mamunuru Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pranay Kotasthane (PK) and Raghu S Jaitley (RSJ) are well known for their “Anticipating the Unintended” – a well-crafted lucidly presented weekly newsletter on public policy. Public policy, which is all around us influencing our economic choices, behaviors, and our incomes gets the least attention from us as, being technical, it can be inaccessible and unexciting.PK and RSJ, in this book, present the Indian public policy clarifying some fundamental concepts with many illustrations in the Indian context and with counterintuitive ideas. Before getting into the nuts and bolts of public policy they suggest that we must unlearn many of our biases and keep our minds open and receptive. We should let go of beliefs like “Good intentions would result in good policies”, “Policies are good but implementations are bad”, “ “Consistency is the benchmark for good policy measure”, “ a well-designed policy can meet several objectives” etc. Considering that any economic activity would take place in the realm of three meta institutions, State, Market, and Society, they organized the book into three sections Sarkar, Bazar, and Samaj.

They reflect on the origins of the state taking us through Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Hobbes’ Leviathan, and later through Rawl's Theory of Justice. State, being in power, would appropriate monopoly on violence, to avert a situation where ‘the strong do what they can and the weak suffer as they must’. The later-day political philosophers, while conceding the inevitability of the state, insisted that it should ensure individual liberty and freedom of speech and the right to express dissent without getting branded as anti-national. PK and RSJ contend that three agents of change exist in any individual life; State, Market, and Society. Each one has its role and covers up the deficiencies of the other. While the state must take up a few basic things and do them well, the market must provide a platform for enterprise and efficiency. Society on the other hand must facilitate civil society that keeps the conscience of the state. In the Indian context the constitution, created in the backdrop of a deeply fractured, poor, and unequal society, is viewed as a document for social transformation leading to state dominating both the market and the society. This resulted in a maai-baap Sarkar—a nanny state that excessively interferes with matters of personal choice, economy, and society. With its centralized power structure, the Indian state is usually obstructive and is prone to instinctive decisions without paying attention to the downstream consequences. Ambitious with limited competence & capacity the Indian state is omnipresent and incompetent. The basic issue the Indian state must address is how to resolve its high ambition with low capacity. The solution could be to focus on a few crucial areas like law & order, health, and education and deliver them competently leaving other aspects to the markets and the society. But the Indian state’s core beliefs remain to be statist, socialist, and conservative. In that sense the political divide in India is not on the lines of Ideology, it is about the very idea of India!

Indians instinctively distrust markets and free enterprise. There can be many reasons for the prevalence of this distrust. One of them could be our colonial experience where a trading company later transformed into an exploitative ruler the other could be the perceived corrupt politician-businessman nexus- an outcome of permit-license raj in post-independent India. Indian psyche is repugnant to terms like profit, brokerage, and middleman (Dalal) and usually these terms are used pejoratively. We usually believe that any business transaction is a zero-sum game wherein a gain for one is a loss for the other. We do not subscribe to mutually beneficial voluntary transactions that can result in a win-win moment. Similarly, our default mental model of economic growth is that it is a zero-sum game. Someone growing means someone is losing out. However, when every 1% of GDP growth takes out three million people from poverty, growth becomes a moral imperative One of the many imprints the colonial experience has left on the Indian state and society is the mistrust of international trade. Every few years, import substitution returns to the policy discourse, albeit with a new name. The latest version goes by the name ‘Aatmanirbharta’. The notion that we are culturally and intellectually superior, and the world has robbed us of the recognition we are due is very strong in the present-day right-wing dispensation. This translates into becoming self-reliant (Aatmanirbharta) in all the fields of production and trade. This is nothing but import substitution, imposing high import tariff barriers to minimize trade deficit - a Nehruvian-era policy measure that this government never tired of criticizing. Frankly, we are going back to license permit raj. Our finance minister wants us to believe that this is different from earlier policy. Commonsense tells us that it is the same.

Is society by itself capable of creating norms or reforming the older norms as it contends with new knowledge, advances in science, and rational thought? Or should the State take it upon itself to nudge the society in the direction of change? This has been the crux of the debate between conservatives and liberals over many centuries. At the time of independence, we decided that a society that had not reformed itself in any significant measure for ages needs transformation. So, the constitution designed to create a power structure was also made into a tool for social transformation. In a way, we imposed a liberal constitution on not-so-liberal a society, in a top-down fashion. The progressive liberals could win battles of the day by imposing their liberal agenda top-down. The conservative society would wait for its time to strike back. As things stand today society is catching up with politics. Which side of the argument one takes is beside the point. The debate between Burkean conservatism and Paine’s Liberalism is unending.

Excellent read!

[Adarsh Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for anyone interested in India’s policy-making.

I particularly appreciate how the authors have captured the paradox of the Indian state—its presence is felt everywhere, yet its effective reach is often absent where it matters most. The book powerfully illustrates the state's chronic failure to fulfill its core responsibilities: maintaining law and order, and providing essential services such as health and education.

A key insight is the tendency of Indian policies to pursue multiple, often conflicting, objectives with a single instrument—leading to diluted effectiveness and, at times, contradictory outcomes. The book also highlights a deep-rooted distrust of markets within the Indian policy framework, despite the crucial role that well-functioning markets play in fostering innovation and expanding opportunities for all.

Perhaps the most urgent message is the need for Indian policies to focus on expanding the economic pie, rather than solely on redistribution. Ultimately, policies aimed only at sharing existing resources risk constraining growth and may undermine the very goals they intend to achieve.

[Ishaan Kochhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Missing in Action: Why You Should Care About Public Policy" serves as a beacon in demystifying the often convoluted realm of public policy. The authors adeptness lies in distilling complex ideas into digestible insights that cater to both novices and policy aficionados.

The book's timeliness is undeniable. By weaving in current events and news headlines, the author roots abstract policy discussions in real-world contexts, emphasizing the direct impact of governance on our daily existence.

A particularly engaging facet of the narrative is its Bollywood undertone. With clever references to iconic movies, plots, and melodies, each chapter resonates with the spirit of Indian cinema, offering readers a unique lens to view policy discussions. This cinematic touch not only adds a layer of relatability but also underscores the global relevance of policy matters, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

To sum it up, the book is a riveting exploration of the nexus between governance, societal values, and popular culture. It underscores the imperative for all individuals to be informed and proactive about policy matters. This book is a compelling read for anyone keen on understanding the profound impact of policy decisions on our collective future.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public policy in India involves guidelines, laws, regulations, and actions taken by the government to address social, economic, and political issues. Important initiatives include the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), National Health Policy, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital India, Make in India, National Education Policy, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Authors Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S Jaitley use historical, sociology, economics, and political science examples to understand India's ability to enable citizens across various backgrounds. The book is divided into three sections: Sarkaar (State), Bazaar (Market), and Samaaj (Society), and uses contemporary examples with film references. It also analyzes current plans and policies, aiming to protect Indian citizens from political lies and promote intelligent public discourse.

[Varunkumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books on public policy we read are written by foreign authors with anecdotes which are also foreign to Indian reader. This book, however, written by Indians and rooted in experience of Indian State is full of interesting anecdotes and policy making lessons.

Book is divided into three parts — the Sarkaar, Bazaar and Samaaj — three institutions which authors say play role in solving any problem. Authors adapt concepts in public policy, developed by foreign thinkers, into a manner easily relatable in India. When over, book leaves the reader brooding over actions taken and not taken by State, challenges that markets are posed with every day due to state policy and the state of Indian society and polity today.

A must read for any student of political science in India and abroad.

[Sunilkumar P · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book about policy making. Loved the numerous stories which helps us get the point. The story of sandalwood, the effects of price cap (ex stent price cap), the unintended consequences of one of our favorite policy tool "Ban" (ex. Usage of RO purifier). Written in a very easy and understandable way. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to anyone who believes in the project India!

[Satyajit Chetri · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only there were less Bollywood references in the writing.

[Chandni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A primer to public policy in India with a generous sprinkling of Bollywood to illustrate India's samaj, sarkar, and bazaar.

[Nirav Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant 101 on Policy. The bifurcation of State, Market, and Society was brilliant. And their juxtaposition, even better.

[Sumedh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for getting me started

[Ganesh Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read book on India based public policy in what we have done so far the good, the many bad policies and discussion on Democracy.

[Sandeep Nair · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book lives up to the promise of providing a soft landing into public policy for the uninitiated.

It does a decent job of introducing political and economic philosophy juxtaposed with India's post-independence history. The policies discussed are wide, the analyses seem unbiased, and the anecdotes are insightful.

Be warned, though: The language and references used have a North Indian flavor. This does not meet the quality of the pan-Indian content covered. It seems like the intended audience is not global.

[Sai Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the finest works on citizenship training. I underestimated what it would offer treating it like a Public Policy book. But it’s not just about identifying a good policy from a bad one. It is a good primer on “thinking” as a citizen. It is not just about how a citizen relates with the government, but also with other citizens.

[Saikat Lahiri]

Essential reading

A simple easy read on what's plaguing the Indian State and what we can do about it. Using examples and stories the authors make a potentially challenge subject easy to grasp.