How we vote - The factors that influence voters by Surjit Bhalla and Abhinav Motheram

Title: How We Vote

Authors: Surjit S. Bhalla and Abhinav Motheram

"Times may have changed, but the substantive basis on which people vote - their perception of leadership and the improvement in their well-being - remains constant."

Economics has been a favourite subject for me in school. Although I had no aptitude for statistics or numbers, the teachers were good. They compelled curiosity in me for the subject.

In How We Vote, Surjit S. Bhalla and Abhinav Motheram present an exploration of the evolving dynamics of voting behavior in India. As the nation approaches its eighteenth general election, the authors delve into the intersection of politics, economics, and psephology, offering readers an understanding of what truly influences voter decisions.

The book examines historical voting patterns, correlating them with significant changes in income, employment, welfare schemes, and gender equality. It highlights how despite the rapid technological advancements and the pervasive influence of social media, the core factors driving voter behavior—perception of leadership and well-being—remain steadfast. Bhalla and Motheram's deep dive into data not only provides fresh insights but also presents some counter-intuitive conclusions that challenge conventional wisdom.

The authors' experience and expertise shine through in their analysis. Bhalla, with his background in economic advisory roles and global financial institutions, and Motheram, with his proficiency in data science and survey methods, complement each other perfectly. Their combined perspectives make How We Vote a read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Indian elections.

As India stands on the brink of another electoral milestone, this book is a valuable resource for gaining a deeper comprehension of the factors that will shape voter choices in 2024 and beyond.

Those empathetic towards tragic sexual assaults like the Bilkis Bano case,Shahjahanpur case, Hathras case would relate to this text. Especially the political reactions like in the Kathua case.

Pages - 245

Price - Rs 599

Genre - Non-fiction

Comments

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...

Epitome of Equality

First of all This is not to demean any religion.. I am a Hindu by birth, but yes I respect all religions .I offer my daily prayers , fast on holy days , but there was something that was disturbing me . God as per me was a Friend, someone who was by my side always , someone who was a dear friend , but this is not what everyone else thought , for others he was the Judge who gives his verdict always and punishes anyone and everyone . Walk into any temple and you would see , if you have money , you will be treated in a way as if you are the ONLY disciple of the God . I have had too many experiences where I was treated as a second class citizen in the temple . Why? Well I could not afford giving thousands as donation. This is not how it should be , God looks at each one of us with the same divinity .As I mentioned God for me is a friend, so tell me, do we chose friends based on their bank balances? Do we give our verdict on them ? then how can God do it? I know many of us would ...

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...

Tushar Mangl Media

Search This Blog