The Politics of Freebies

The promise of freebies during elections has emerged as a pivotal element of electoral politics in India. Over decades this trend has grown from isolated instances to a deeply entrenched practice with political parties competing to outdo each other in offering alluring benefits to voters. Free electricity free healthcare free education and even free household appliances-these promises resonate with millions of voters often transcending the boundaries of rational economic evaluation. Yet these pledges while appealing raise critical questions about their sustainability ethicality and long-term consequences on governance and public finances.This book The Politics of Freebies: Electoral Promises and Their Impact on Indian Democracy delves into this phenomenon with a holistic approach. By tracing the historical evolution of freebies in Indian electoral politics analyzing their socio-economic implications and exploring their constitutional and legal dimensions this work seeks to provide readers with a nuanced understanding of this complex issue.