ABSTRACT

The above article critically examines the relationship between welfare policies and voter incentives in the context of Indian democratic elections, with a special focus on the phenomenon of freebies. Freebies are often regarded as a wide range of goods and services offered to voters by political parties, they have become increasingly relevant in the Indian Political Context. These freebies are often framed as welfare policies aimed at addressing socio-economic inequalities. They raise important questions regarding governance, electoral dynamics, and democratic principles.

The article emphasizes the motivation behind the provision of freebies, analyzing how it influences the voters and political competition among the parties. It explores the trade-off between short-term gains and long-term development. It analyses the implications of freebies on fiscal policy, efficiency of resource allocation, and accountability.

It also draws evidence from case studies and comparative analyses. this article also critiques the assessment and challenges faced by freebies in the Indian political arena. With the advent of the balanced approach, it highlights the importance of voter incentives alongside the broader objective of welfare policies, democratic governance, and sustainable development for all.

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION AND INTRODUCTION OF FREEBIES IN INDIAN POLITICS

As defined by Cambridge Dictionary freebies are defined as ‘anything that is provided to you without charge, especially to pique your interest in or support for something.’ In simpler terms it is something you get for free. In recent times, freebies have taken the centre stage in all the electoral campaigns. They often take the form of cash bribes, free rice, free electricity, free water or loan waivers.

Annadurai’s scheme of providing the poor rice at ridiculously low price in the Tamil Nadu election 1967 turned into a massive welfare scheme which led to political parties promising that they would distribute washing machines, television and other things. This free for all scheme has grown multifold times in the country and all the parties across the political spectrum have played their part in this which was complemented by the poverty, illiteracy and short sightedness among the Indian people. Every times elections are announced the parties announce a lot of freebies so as to lure people and consolidate the voters in favour of them.

The political Parties in their election manifestos announce a whole lot of schemes and freebies which will be provided by them if they are voted to power. Example: In the recently concluded Punjab election, 2022 while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) promised that it will transfer Rs1000 to every woman 18 or above while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has promised that it will provide Rs2000 to every woman has a blue card[1]. So by the above example we can see that nowadays there is a competition among political parties that who will outdo each other in promising the freebies ignoring the economic impact that it will have on the state finances. The Madras High Court Strongly criticised the Election Commision and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for their failure to stop the conduct of announcement and promise of freebies during the elections[2]. The court said-

“We will cook food for you in your residence”-party

“We will not only cook but also feed you”-opposite party.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF FREEBIES ON VOTER BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL-ECONOMIC RAMIFICATIONS

The distribution of freebies in the Indian political arena carries significant psychological and socio-economic involvement, significantly shaping voter behavior and societal dynamics. One stark consequence is the cultivation of a culture of dependency, wherein people rely on government-created manifestos rather than pursuing their knowledge for self-sufficiency and economic development. This worrying trend undermines the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and individual analysis according to the situation.

Moreover, despite their purported aim to remove social-economic imbalance, freebies can unintentionally make people levitate from it. By targeting particular tranche groups or certain sections of people, these considerations may exclude other disempowered sections of society, leading to feelings of disregard and communal turmoil. The dearth of liability in the implementation of freebies further compounds governance challenges, with political parties sometimes using these measures to divert attention from systemic issues.

Economically, the implementation of freebies imposes significant costs and burdens on the economy. The strain on government finances, resulting from funding such schemes, can lead to increased borrowing, fiscal deficits, and adverse effects on overall economic stability. Furthermore, a heavy public debt load can lead to an upsurge in interest payments of money taken for freebies, which can further limit the government’s other expenses and limit its capacity to invest in other significant areas such as job creation, primary and secondary education, and proper healthcare When some goods and services are provided for free or at highly subsidized prices, it can also negatively affect the market and disrupt the allocation of resources thus it creates distortionary effects on resource allocation and market Natural financial system. For example, if the government decided to provide free healthcare or related services, it may discourage private investment in the healthcare sector, as it will lead to loss of businessmen leading to a lack of quality healthcare facilities and a reduction in competition freebies warp the allocation of resources and market dynamics, potentially hinders long-term growth and future growth.

Psychologically, according to “Dan Ariely”, “People change their behavioral patterns and are more willing to comply when something free comes along”[3] Therefore freebies exert a powerful emotional appeal on voters, leveraging various psychological factors to influence behaviour. When recipients feel indebted to the political parties providing freebies and may reciprocate the Favor through support at the polls thus remitting the reciprocity principle. Additionally, the perceived value of freebies triggers positive emotional responses, such as excitement and gratitude, among voters. This emotional connection fosters a sense of belonging and identity, strengthening their affiliation and support for the distributing party leading political parties to take unfair advantage of voters

However, despite the emotional allure of freebies, it is also essential to acknowledge the detrimental effects on democracy and socio-economic development. “The Tamil Nadu High Court stated”, “Freebie culture makes the people of Tamil Nadu lazy.” According to Justices N. Kirubakaran and B. Pugalenthi, “the freebie culture has made people lazy and has weakened the spirit of hard work”[4] Instead of prioritizing short-term gains while freebies may offer immediate political advantages, their long-term ramifications on democratic governance and socioeconomic progress are profound.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY

Political Parties these days have started a new trend of promising unreasonable amount of freebies in their election manifestos to lure the voters so as to hide their incompetence during their period of power. This competition among the political parties to outdo each other in promising freebies raises several question regarding the integrity of the whole process. Giving out freebies like loan waivers or free Television sets is same as bribing voters and cheating on the honest Tax payers. As Eldon Henson once said that ‘Ignoring the facts for short term gain will almost always bring long term pain.’ Freebies though provide immediate relief and satisfaction but its long term effect can be very detrimental for the country and the people. Common People voting for freebies means the government would be less accountable and they will spend bulk of the state finances for freebies rather than spending on infrastructure, Education, Healthcare, Better governance. It also fosters a culture of entitlement among citizens and they become dependent on the government for basic needs thus, weakening the idea of self-reliance among citizens. The Tamil Nadu High Court recently stated that ‘freebie culture is making the people of Tamil Nadu lazy[5].’ The High Court further encouraged the political parties to focus on providing better education, upgraded healthcare, job opportunities rather than influencing the voters by giving loads of freebies just before the elections.

The current culture of the reliance on freebies by parties to woo the voters undermines the spirit of free and fair election and is against the very ethics of democracy. If this practice is continued in the long run then it may lead to a situation where the people are solely voting for short term benefits like freebies, gifts rather than long term vision or principles of the party that would be very detrimental for the democratic process and may strain the country’s finances. The government will not be able to spend on essential sectors and thus causing instability in the long run.

INITIATIVES FOR ENHANCING DEMOCRATIC RESILIENCE

While exercise of freebies in India is not new and deeply entrenched in its roots for decades. However, this notion got imperative interest in past years when exclusive freebies were given to voters even exceeding the limits of economic and social reach. Now there is a need for checks on the freebies and proper dissonance should be created between welfare and freebies. This short-sighted approach can lead to doomed results in the future and can change the nature of democratic elections.to address this challenge alternate routes or solutions can be laid down by building strong democratic establishments, such as free election commissions and regulatory bodies, which can tackle, observe, To Prevent use of freebies during elections, rather than getting persuaded by short-term satisfaction.

 Voting awareness can help the masses to make informed choices, while the government instead of just focusing on giveaway election shows. the root cause of the problem should be noted by focusing on strengthening healthcare, education, and infrastructure and by creating jobs and welfare policies that should be run throughout the term of the elected govt. by targeting a “Means-Tested Approach”, which states instead of providing freebies to everyone, identifying the people most in need and economically disadvantaged people or groups and providing aid only to them.

 By concentrating resources on those in genuine need, the efficacy and impact of the programs can be strengthened. Fostering economic empowerment by providing skills development and standard education can help individuals to gain the required skills to succeed in the labor market. Governments can promote the vocational training program entrepreneurship, and upgrade the quality of education to ensure individuals have something to secure sustainable livelihoods. With the current scenario where freebies are deeply entrenched in the realm of society. policymakers can think of a measured phasing-out approach that allows individuals and communities to transition to self-sufficiency which includes access to opportunities, skill development, and jobs but an effective and clear implementation would be needed to work out these approaches.

In 2017-18 Finland conducted an experiment where they provided a monthly income to a randomly selected group of unemployed people. The attempt to change the effect of unrestricted income on employment and proper well-being of individuals. While the outcome showed no such employment effects, they highlighted much-important optimistic impacts on mind stability and well-being. This experiment displayed the value of critically evaluating such programs to understand their consequences fully.  Brazil’s Bolsa Familiars program or “Conditional Cash Transfer Program”[6] aimed to provide financial help to less-income individuals and households but with certain conditions, such as making sure that children should compulsorily attend school and receive regular healthcare check-ups. The scheme has significantly contributed to poverty reduction, increased school enrolment, and better health outcomes. Similarly, Canada and the UK provided heavily subsidized healthcare. Germany opened the way for education at a very low cost which addresses the barriers to skill development. Freebies are no new phenomenon challenges are faced by other countries and the experiments and policies that worked out for other freebie-ridden countries can become our go-to path.

WRAPPING UP: RECOMMENDATION AND FUTURE WAY TO FOLLOW-

The function of freebies in Indian politics is a complex issue with multiple dimensions. Striking a balance between welfare policies and freebies is the need of the hour. While government can provide immediate relief to citizens through freebies their long-term implications can be disastrous. It is significant to know the importance of welfare-oriented policies and long-term development policies that focus on education, healthcare, skill development, and infrastructure for inclusive growth. To balance the ulterior effects of freebies in Indian politics extensive and viable approach with proper targeting and addressing the root cause of trouble

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was established under Article 324[7] to ensure the integrity and fair conduct of elections. Its scope should be expanded to encompass aspects such as the dissemination of false manifestos and the proliferation of unprofessional and unethical promises. Strengthening the MCC by obtaining legislative backing is highly recommended to enhance its effectiveness in regulating electoral processes

To enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process, it is proposed that political parties be required to submit their manifestos before their nomination. Failure to comply should result in the disqualification of parties from participating in elections. Additionally, critical guidelines and recommendations should be provided to political parties regarding their conduct during elections, including dos and don’ts. Strict judicial actions should be taken against parties for the non-fulfillment of manifestos or for making false promises during rallies, ensuring that freebies do not overshadow feasible objectives. It should be mandatory for parties to provide credible data supporting their manifestos, and clear fiscal roadmaps outlining how these goals will be achieved must be presented.

In the case of “Subramanium Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu (2013)”[8], it was determined that Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act) does not criminalize the distribution of freebies. However, the judges expressed the view that freebies can influence or sway voter psychology. It is recommended that the scope of the RP Act be expanded to encompass political parties, as this would facilitate the regulation of excessive freebie activities in both state and central elections.

To make a long story short, the concept of giveaways or freebies should be run by a comprehensive understanding by critiquing their benefits and limitations. With a strong focus on long-term inclusive overall growth with a potential to uplift marginalized sections of the masses it will provide a lift not only to the people but it will strengthen the democratic building of the country with increasing informed political participation and over everything common citizens of the country should understand the root of their problem cannot be heal by freebies but only with a holistic path that will benefit not only the present generation but with the future to come. with this approach and mindset India can think toward a more equitable and prosperous future.                                            

[1] GOVTEMPDIARY, https://govtempdiary.com/2022/02/aap-2022-punjab-election-manifesto-pdf/107244#google_vignette (April 30^th 2024)

[2] Anudha Singhai, the precarious trap of election freebies, LAW DAILY, (May 18 2022) https://www.lawdaily.cslr.in/2022/05/the-precarious-trap-of-election-freebies.html?m=1

[3] Arun Kaushik and Rupayan Pal, Electoral Outcomes And Provision Of Public Goods: A case Study Of India, Journal of Comparative Asian Development 15(1):1-31,(Feb 2016) https://doi.org/10.1080/15339114.2015.1115744

[4] Ajai Sreevatsan, Freebies Pose Threat To Tamil Nadu’s Fiscal Health, THE HINDU, (March 30,2015 02:41 AM), https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/freebies-pose-a-threat-to-tamil-nadus-fiscal-health/article7046311.ece

[5] Meera Emmanuel, Freebie Culture makes people lazy, vitiates purity of elections, must be viewed as a “corrupt practice”, BAR AND BENCH, (31 March, 2021, 4:20PM) https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/freebie-culture-makes-people-lazy-corrupt-practice-madras-high-court.

[6] Scott Mainwaring, Politicians, Parties, and Electoral Systems: Brazil in Comparative Perspective, Vol. 24 No. 1 JSTOR (Oct. 1991)

[7] INDIA CONST. art. 324.

[8] S. Subramanium Balaji v. The Government of Tamil Nadu, AIR 2016