By all accounts I've read, describing India as "socialist" in the 1950s is not quite right. You only need look at the article I linked to see that a big reason for people going hungry was because couldn't afford the rising food prices. The prices being determined by purchasing power and market forces. And there was a functioning parliamentary democracy. At best you could say it was a mixed economy where the ruling party had some socialist economic policies. But you could say that about many modern European countries. So I still think the comparison with China is interesting.
Food rationing has certainly happened in India's recent history. The British colonial administration established it in the 40s, and it was then revived in the 60s following acute shortages. But prior to that revival, food availability and pricing seems to have been subject to market forces. This suggests - if anything - that central planning was actually used to prevent famine deaths. But it is very difficult to find much accessible literature on that period.
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By all accounts I've read, describing India as "socialist" in the 1950s is not quite right. You only need look at the article I linked to see that a big reason for people going hungry was because couldn't afford the rising food prices. The prices being determined by purchasing power and market forces. And there was a functioning parliamentary democracy. At best you could say it was a mixed economy where the ruling party had some socialist economic policies. But you could say that about many modern European countries. So I still think the comparison with China is interesting.
Based on my own parents telling, I believe there was food rationing, price controls, licensing for basic businesses, etc
Yes more free than China, but not so much market wise. All centrally planned from what I understand
I could be wrong. Indian politics is not my strong point . I do think many people conflate it being the largest democracy for it being a free market.
I personally witnessed the economic reforms of the 90s as an outsider via several visits and it was interesting to see as an outsider.
Food rationing has certainly happened in India's recent history. The British colonial administration established it in the 40s, and it was then revived in the 60s following acute shortages. But prior to that revival, food availability and pricing seems to have been subject to market forces. This suggests - if anything - that central planning was actually used to prevent famine deaths. But it is very difficult to find much accessible literature on that period.