Archive - Gentle Leviathan

January 2025

Dispatch #102: 'Bande Mein Tha Dum'

This dispatch dives into Prakash Magdum’s book 'The Mahatma on Celluloid' and four films that bring the Mahatma to life on screen.

Jan 30 •

Dispatch #101: Building better governments: Simplifying public sector capacity

This dispatch explores the concept of public sector capacity, breaking it down into three critical components: state capacity, organisational routines…

Jan 25 •

Dispatch #100: Democracy through strength-Understanding the pathways to democratic reforms in developmental Asia

This post covers the key themes of Dan Slater & Joseph Wong's book 'From Development to Democracy' which explains why some countries in Asia have…

Jan 19 •

Dispatch #99: State capability in India-The key to effective governance & development

This dispatch explores the critical role of state capabilities in shaping India's development trajectory, as highlighted in Natarajan & Somanathan's…

Jan 11 •

Dispatch #98: Cultivating a culture of learning- The key to government effectiveness

This dispatch discusses the challenges faced by public servants and the innovative strategies necessary to bridge the skills gap & enhance state…

Jan 4 •

December 2024

Dispatch #97: Lessons from the South- How Sri Lanka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu achieved human development

This dispatch explores the interconnected development journeys of Sri Lanka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting how these regions achieved remarkable…

Dec 23, 2024 •

Dispatch #96: From bottom-up to top-down: How China and India approach education differently

This dispatch examines the contrasting educational paths of China & India from 1900 to 2018, highlighting how their unique approaches to human capital…

Dec 8, 2024 •

November 2024

Dispatch #95: Ambedkar's Preamble- Unpacking the vision behind India's Constitutional promise

This dispatch unpacks how justice, liberty, equality, & fraternity became the pillars of India’s Constitution, reflecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s…

Nov 26, 2024 •

Dispatch #94: Stigma and success- How caste shapes business outcomes in India

This dispatch explores how caste-based stigma in India impacts business outcomes, especially for Dalits.

Nov 23, 2024 •

Dispatch #93:The rise & challenges of public policy education in India

This dispatch traces the growth of public policy education in India, examining its historical roots, curriculum challenges, and career opportunities.

Nov 19, 2024 •

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