And China has been able to progress from that period
So that begs the question. What changed?
Same goes for North Korea and South Korea, East and West Germany.
There are several examples that prove that it is the systems, institutions and an enabling environment that create the conditions for growth.
while India is still languishing in 3rd world status.
Depends on how one looks at it.
India has made tremendous progress over the last three decades. On a sustained basis and through the global cycles of bust and boom.
This chart (though a bit old but still relevant) should give you an idea that the difference with the most developed countries in the world is closing fast right since 1980.
So from a ratio of almost 100 times per capita income with USA, it is now down to 33. A three times increase on a relative basis.
Look at South Asia now, and think why both Sri Lanka and BD seem to be doing better than India. BD only slightly behind India now as it gained independence in 1971 as opposed to 1947 for India.
Well, no doubt that India has a long way to go and Sri lanka is doing better. They are a much smaller country.
BD has almost half of India's GDP per capita and is behind in HDI as well. We wish it well.
It is one example of how a dominant ethnic group doesn't necessarily mean success. It is an LDC in South Asia, behind almost every other country in a poor region of the world.
I am not criticising Indians for wanting to be together in a large state but there is an economic penalty to be paid for this.
Not necessarily as China's and India's examples prove. The world is moving in the other direction of economic blocs anyway.
In India, now it is state governments that are driving the growth. So federalism can provide the answers and is already doing that.
btw, can you name those examples and I am sure I can explain that away
Well, I gave you one example. We wish BD well but the issue is not explaining away but understanding the complexities involved rather than looking at it simplistically.
There is no getting away from the hard work of building fair institutions and an enabling environment.