Globalisation is a very contentious subject and has invited strong criticism all over the globe. Critics of globalisation make a variety of arguments. Those on the left argue that contemporary globalisation represents a particular phase of global capitalism that makes the rich richer (and fewer) and the poor poorer. The weakening of the state leads to a reduction in the capacity of the state to protect the interest of its poor.

Which of the following was a failure of the protectionism that India followed after independence?

Both options 1 and 2.

During the colonial period, as a consequence of Britain’s imperial ambitions, India became an exporter of primary goods and raw materials and a consumer of finished goods. After independence, because of this experience with the British, we decided to make things ourselves rather than relying on others. We also decided not to allow others to export to us so that our own producers could learn to make things. This ‘protectionism’ generated its own problems. While some advances were made in certain arenas, critical sectors such as health, housing, and primary education did not receive the attention they deserved. India had a fairly sluggish rate of economic growth.