Liberalization

Liberalization (British English) is a general phrase that refers to making laws, systems, or opinions less stringent, usually by removing some government controls or prohibitions. The phrase is most commonly used in economics, where it refers to the elimination or reduction of limits on (a particular field of) economic activity. However, when discussing drug liberalization, liberalization can also be used as a synonym for decriminalization or legalization (the process of making something legal after it was previously illegal).

Liberalization's History

The phrase liberalization comes from the political concept of liberalism, which emerged in the early nineteenth century. Liberalization can refer to a loosening of regulations banning specific practices or activities, such as divorce, abortion, or psychoactive drugs, in social policy and government.

Who initiated India's economic liberalization process?

Economic liberalization refers to the process of removing non-essential limitations and controls from a country's economy so that firms and enterprises can contribute to the economy to the fullest possible extent. However, it's crucial to remember that liberalization does not imply an unfettered economy.

Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao and his then-Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh began the process of economic liberalization in India in 1991. India still had a fixed exchange rate system in 1991, with the rupee tied to the value of a basket of key trading partners' currencies.

Why was India the First Country to Liberalize?

India's economic liberalization was aided by the country's balance of payments issue in 1985. The country was unable to pay for vital imports and service its debts due to the crisis. At that time, India was pushed to the verge of bankruptcy. Dr. Manmohan Singh, India's then-finance minister, gave respond by introducing economic liberalization.

India's Liberalization Characteristics

The following are some of the main characteristics of the liberalization that began as part of the 1991 economic reforms:

• Abolition of the country's former License Raj system between 1947 and 1990. The Raj was a complex system of laws, licenses, and restrictions imposed on the operation and establishment of enterprises.
• Interest rates and tariffs are being reduced.
• Approval of foreign direct investment in several industries;
• Reducing the monopoly of the public sector in various areas of our economy.

India's economic liberalization incorporated the characteristics mentioned above and, in general, removed various limitations to make the country more private sector friendly.

What were the Goals of India's Liberalization?

The key goals of India's liberalization process can be summarised as follows:

1. To address India's looming balance-of-payments issue.
2. To increase the private sector's contribution to India's economic development.
3. To increase the amount of foreign direct investment into Indian companies.
4. To encourage domestic rivalry in India's enterprises.
5. To encourage international and private enterprises to expand in India to maximize the country's economic potential.
6. To usher in a new era of globalization for India's economy.
7. To regulate export and import, as well as to promote international trade.

The Economic Impact of Liberalization in India

When addressing the economic consequences of liberalization, it is critical to consider both the positive and negative effects on our country's economy.

In terms of social policy and administration

Liberalization in social policy can refer to a loosening of regulations prohibiting specific practices or activities, such as divorce, abortion, or the use of psychoactive drugs. It could relate to the repeal of laws outlawing homosexuality, private ownership of firearms or other objects, same-sex marriage, inter-racial marriage, or inter-faith marriage regarding civil rights.

The terms liberalization and democratization are not interchangeable. Liberalization can occur without democracy and involves a combination of policy and societal change focused on a specific topic, such as the privatization of government-owned property. Democratization is a highly specialized political phenomenon that can develop from liberalization but operates at a higher level of governmental liberalization.

Liberalization's Benefits

1. Free flow of money in the economy

Liberalisation has permitted free capital flow in our country, allowing businesses to acquire funds from investors easily. Due to a lack of cash in the pre-liberalization period, executing expensive ventures were prohibited, but this was corrected in 1991, resulting in higher growth rates.

2. Investor portfolio diversification

Post-liberalization, investors have the option of investing a portion of their portfolio in a varied asset class, resulting in higher profits.

3. Improved stock market performance

When economic restrictions are relaxed, a rise in the stock market values can be seen, which encourages greater trading among investors.

4. Impact on the agricultural sector

While the impact of liberalization on the agricultural sector cannot be fully evaluated, but there was a major change in cropping patterns across the country in the post-1991 period.

Liberalization's Disadvantages

1. Economic destabilization

Such drastic economic reforms resulted in a redistribution of political and economic power that severely weakened the Indian economy.

2. Increased competition from multinational corporations (MNCs)

Before the liberalization of the Indian economy, international corporations played no role in the Indian economy. However, Indian businesses quickly faced growing competition from multinational corporations, putting the survival of countless local businesses in jeopardy.

3. The impact of FDI on the banking sector

The lifting of prohibitions on foreign direct investment in the banking and insurance industries resulted a fall in the government's holdings in both the sectors.

4. Increasing mergers and acquisitions

In the post-liberalization period, the increased scope of mergers and acquisitions has presented a challenge to employees of smaller enterprises.