Poverty and Exclusion of Minorities in China and India

verfasst von: Prof. A.S. Bhalla, Dr. Dan Luo

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book, a second edition, includes new data from the 2010 Census of India and NSS reports on consumer expenditure (2011-12), health and education (2014) to examine poverty in China and India, and how it connects with minorities. Poverty has generally become less acute in both China and India, thanks to an impressively rapid growth especially between 2010 and 2015 when the rest of the world including the US and the EU slowed down following the economic recession of 2008. But the issues of income and non-income inequalities (especially malnutrition in India), marginalization and social exclusion remain as acute as ever in both countries.

As well as the use of new primary material in every chapter, the book also critically examines new relevant studies and responds to global perspectives on minority issues. It canvasses a broad range of subjects from global terrorism and civil wars in Libya and Syria, to the Arab Spring and the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism and the Islamic State (ISIS).

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Poverty, Ethnicity and Exclusion

Abstract

This reviews concepts of ethnicity, religion, caste and social exclusion. It discusses recent literature on country studies and comparative country studies on India and China on poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 2. Minorities in China and India

Abstract

This chapter reviews demographic and other situation of ethnic and religious minorities in China and India. Demographic trends of minorities in China and India in the inter-census periods as well as population changes among specific ethnic minorities are presented. Affirmative action through preferential policies for minorities in the two countries are critically examined, showing that these policies have benefited the minorities in both countries.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 3. Poverty Incidence Among Minorities

Abstract

In this chapter is devoted to a quantitative analysis of poverty incidence among minorities over time in China and India, using several indicators: (1) headcount ratios, (2) monthly per capita consumer expenditure and (3) poverty—gap ratios (PG), and Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) ratios. Empirical evidence shows that both countries have achieved substantial reduction of rural and urban poverty during the last two decades for minorities as well as for the majority. Both countries have implemented anti-poverty programmes which are not always targeted specifically for minorities.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 4. Inequalities and Access

Abstract

This chapter shows that while poverty has been reduced, income inequality has become worse in both China and India, which may be explained partly by very rapid economic growth during the past two decades. Non-income inequalities in the form of lack of access to education, health services and other public services have more adversely affected minorities than the majority population, which poses serious social and political problems. China has been more successful than India in ensuring access of minorities to education and health services. For example, it has practically removed child malnutrition which remains a serious problem in India.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 5. Minority Migrants

Abstract

Chapter 5 shows that rural minority migrants moving to urban areas in China and India are not always poor as is often believed. At times, they may be less poor than the local residents because they tend to be better educated and economically better-off at the time of migration. However, there are differences between the countries in some respects. For example, in China employers provide housing to migrants and the government subsidizes their cost of migration, whereas the Indian employers and the government do not. Remittances of migrants are far more important in raising living standards of Indian minority migrants (especially Muslims) than they are in China. In general, rural-to-urban migration tends to improve livelihood of minorities in both countries.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 6. Jammu and Kashmir (India) and Xinjiang (China)

Abstract

This chapter presents two case studies of Jammu and Kashmir in India and Xinjiang in China, border states with over 60% of Muslim minority population in each. Both suffer from separatism and violence. It discusses poverty and inequalities and such non-economic factors as religious and ethnic identities and human rights abuses. It concludes that minority poverty and inequality vis-à-vis the majority population can cause conflict regardless of the nature and type of political regime. In both Xinjiang and Jammu and Kashmir, the Muslim minority is poorer and has limited access to jobs, two economic factors which seem as important in explaining social discontent and violence as external factors such as cross-border terrorism.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 7. Minority Inclusion and Welfare

Abstract

This Chapter addresses the issues of social and political exclusion of minorities by studying their participation in politics and legislative bodies. India being a democracy with popularly-elected national parliament and state assemblies, representation of Muslim minority in these bodies is used as an indicator of political participation. On the other hand, in China’s single-party government, minority representation in the National People’s Congress and People’s Political Consultative Conferences is studied. The share of minority deputies in both these bodies is higher than their share in the population. On the other hand, in India the Muslim minority is grossly under-represented in national parliament. Also studied in the chapter is minority participation in public and private sectors and in local elected bodies as well as the impact of inclusion on minority welfare.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Chapter 8. Minorities in a Global Perspective

Abstract

This Chapter examines the status of minorities in a global perspective with illustrations from three case studies: Jammu and Kashmir in India and Tibet and Xinjiang in China. These cases are studied in the light of the global war on terror, the emergence of the Islamic State and economic and social globalization through international trade, foreign investment and global communications. The impact of globalization on minorities is examined via communications and changing consumer patterns. The issue of local ethnic and cultural identities in the face of globalization is also addressed.

A. S. Bhalla, Dan Luo

Backmatter

Titel: Poverty and Exclusion of Minorities in China and India
verfasst von: Prof. A.S. Bhalla
Dr. Dan Luo
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-53937-9
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-53936-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53937-9