• About us
  • GSDRC Publications
  • Research Helpdesk
  • E-Bulletin
  • Privacy policy

GSDRC

Governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian knowledge services

  • Governance
    • Democracy & elections
  • Social Development
    • Social protection
  • Humanitarian Issues
    • Humanitarian financing
    • Humanitarian response
  • Conflict
    • Conflict analysis
    • Conflict prevention
    • Conflict response
    • Conflict sensitivity
    • Impacts of conflict
  • Development Pressures
    • Climate change
    • Food security
    • Fragility
  • Approaches
    • Complexity & systems thinking
  • Aid Instruments
    • Budget support & SWAps
    • Capacity building
    • Civil society partnerships
  • M&E
    • Indicators
    • Learning
    • M&E approaches
Home»GSDRC Publications»Communist Government in Kerala, India

Communist Government in Kerala, India

Helpdesk Report
  • Seema Khan
May 2008

Question

What has been the experience of democratically-elected Communist parties in the state of Kerala, India, particularly in terms of social policy?

Summary

This query discusses the experiences of the Communist Party of India, Marxist (CPM) in India – specifically in the states of Kerala and West Bengal.

It is widely argued that almost continuous communist rule in Kerala since 1957 has produced both order and some success in alleviating poverty, despite facing some considerable challenges to its government. The CPM has used its reach into trade unions, and peasant and volunteer organisations, to work towards decentralised development, and even to encourage greater productivity and economic growth.

It is important to note that the Communist party in Kerela evolved within a favourable and unique institutional and political environment. Thus, the rise of communism was a comparatively peaceful process. While they were subject to occasional censorship, the communists were mostly allowed to operate in public spaces, and managed to build a dense network of unions, farmer associations, schools, libraries, cultural organisations, and press organs.

In Bengal however, CPM-led governments have displayed weak political will towards implementing reforms, and have allowed the party’s organisational interests to supersede its commitment to political struggles and reforms.

file type icon See Full Report [PDF]

Enquirer:

  • DFID Nepal

Related Content

Donor Support to Electoral Cycles
Helpdesk Report
2021
Who are the Elite Groups in Iraq and How do they Exercise Power
Helpdesk Report
2018
Donor support for post-conflict elections
Helpdesk Report
2017
Dominant party systems and development programming
Helpdesk Report
2016
birminghamids hcri

gro.crdsg@seiriuqne Feedback Disclaimer

Outputs supported by FCDO are © Crown Copyright 2022; outputs supported by the Australian Government are © Australian Government 2022; and outputs supported by the European Commission are © European Union 2022
Connect with us: facebooktwitter

Outputs supported by DFID are © DFID Crown Copyright 2022; outputs supported by the Australian Government are © Australian Government 2022; and outputs supported by the European Commission are © European Union 2022