GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

There is a trend of competitive populism in various Indian states however; it also raises questions about the sanctity of the MSP and the fiscal sustainability of such policies.

NFSA and Competitive Populism

• NFSA Continuity: UPA's NFSA, 2013 provided subsidized food grains to 35 crore Indians.
• Competitive Populism in Chhattisgarh: Congress pays farmers above MSP for paddy, raising questions on MSP's sanctity and fiscal sustainability.
• Shift towards Short-Term Benefits: Governments favor freebies over long-term investments in education, healthcare, and agriculture, reflecting a deeper political economy issue.

MSP & Fiscal Viability

• Sanctity of MSP: Chhattisgarh pays paddy growers significantly above MSP. This raises concerns about equity for farmers in other states.
• Fiscal Sustainability Challenge: Procuring rice at high MSPs and distributing it for free poses fiscal sustainability risks. Government stocks may grow excessively.
• Neglect of Essential Sectors: Investment in public education, healthcare, irrigation, and agricultural research is overlooked in favor of short-term benefits.

Concerns

• Transactional Voting Behavior: Voters prioritize immediate benefits over long-term development, perpetuating a culture of instant gratification in politics.
• Need for Strategic Planning: Governments should balance short-term freebies with long-term investments for sustainable growth and development.
• Way forward: The need of the hour is to invest in gaining public trust and votes not the freebies being distributed in bulk to buy votes.

Context:

Relying solely on military force to handle a threat works temporarily, but it fails when the enemy discovers vulnerability is dangerous for common people during any war.

Collapse of Israel's Security Policy

• Historical Mirage: Israel's military prowess created an illusion of invincibility, but recent events reveal vulnerabilities and escalate risks.
• Limited Air Campaigns: Israel's periodic attacks on Gaza aimed to weaken militant capabilities but lacked a long-term political plan.
• Netanyahu's Strategy: Abandoning the two-state solution, Netanyahu's divisive tactics favored extremists, weakening the Palestinian Authority and perpetuating conflict.

The Pitfalls of Operational Superiority

• Israel's Misconception: Relying on operational dominance, Israel overlooked the political roots of the conflict, allowing room for retaliatory strikes.
• India's Approach to Pakistan: Similar to Israel, India prioritized military strength but neglected political resolution in dealing with Pakistan.
• Kashmir Standoff: India's decision to end Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy signaled a non-negotiable stance, hindering potential diplomatic progress.

Embracing Political Solutions

• Benefits of Dialogue: While not a cure-all, diplomacy can ease tensions, as seen in past rapprochements between historic adversaries.
• Potential Gains for Pakistan: Engaging in dialogue can incentivize Pakistan to pursue economic stability and distance itself from extremist elements.
• Addressing Broader Issues: Political processes can pave the way for confidence-building measures, cooperation on shared challenges, and economic growth.

Context:

The detrimental effects of social media particularly on mental health need a legal action and regulations.

Social Media's Impact on Mental Health

• Historical Warnings: Events like Cambridge Analytica and "The Social Dilemma" highlighted social media's manipulation of human behavior.
• Meta's Role: Meta (formerly Facebook) faced backlash after whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed how Instagram negatively affected teen girls' body image.
• Legal Action in the US: Forty-two Attorney Generals sue Meta, alleging it actively contributes to youth mental health crisis via addictive platforms.

The Problem Lies in the Business Model

• Shift in Purpose: Social networks evolved into social media, driven by profit from user data and engagement.
• Influence on User Behavior: Algorithms exploit dopamine responses, fostering addiction and prioritizing profit over well-being.
• Potential Consequences for Meta: Lawsuit could lead to substantial penalties, challenging Meta's business model and global regulatory scrutiny.

The Need for Accountability and Change

• Global Impact: UK, EU, and India consider regulatory action against social media giants, emphasizing accountability for content hosting.
• Meta's Response: Defends actions taken to support teen users, suggests productive collaboration over confrontational approach.
• Potential Shift to Subscription Model: Considering alternatives to advertising-based revenue model for long-term sustainability and user well-being.