本論文試圖回答印度經濟改革與自由化為何於1991年開啟?其鞏固如何可能?由於過去的文獻多僅強調單一層次或面向,因此,本論文試圖採取歷史結構觀點,以及以國家機關為核心的結構觀點,企圖在一個更為歷史性、整體性的架構下理解此一問題。 印度獨立至今的歷史大致上可區分為三個時期:「國家主義」(1947-1964)、「社群主義」(1964-1979)、「全球化」(1980年代迄今)。透過對於此三個歷史波段的掌握,我們可以瞭解1991年的經濟危機,與1960年代社群主義興起所導致的國家自主性衰退密不可分,此種歷史結構使改革成為必須,而全球化的出現,則使新自由主義式的經濟改革成為必然。 而1990年代經濟自由化的鞏固,其實是受到國內結構的「世俗—大印度教」對立氣氛、國家機關間結構的中印競爭,以及跨國結構的全球化等因素交互影響下,而得以持續,而這三個因素,皆可放在一個更大的框架—全球化與大印度教主義的對話—下理解。而透過本論文的研究,我們可以發現認同政治雖然看似與經濟改革無關,但在印度的政經互動過程中,兩者之間卻著實存在著千絲萬縷的關係。
This thesis tries to answer two main questions in Indian economic reform and liberalization: the initiation and consolidation of the reform. Contrary to most of the prevailing explanations focusing on one level or one dimension, this thesis tries to analyze them in a more historical and broader framework, namely historical-structure and state-centered structure. Post-independent India has gone through three main periods: Indian Nationalism (1947-1964), Communalism (1964-1979), and Globalization (1980s onwards). Comprehending the causality between these three periods helps we better understand the roots of economic crisis in 1991. That is, the rise of Communalism led to the erosion of the state’s autonomy, so a certain kind of reform became a must. And the rise of Globalization gave neo-liberalist economic reform a preference. This thesis further argues that the antagonism between Secularism and Hindu Nationalism, the competition between India and China, and the transnational globalization consolidate the economic reform after 1991. These three main factors could be comprehended as a dialogue between Globalization and Hindutva. Therefore, through this thesis, we found that there were subtle relations between so-called “Identity Politics” and economic reform in Indian political economy.