Sugar Co-operatives in Maharashtra: A Political Economy Perspective
从政治经济学视角分析马哈拉施特拉邦糖业合作社的起源、政府角色及规制困境，指出既有规制被既得利益维持，呼吁减少干预以应对政府失灵。
Abstract The origins of the powerful sugar lobby in Maharashtra date back to the 1950s. Post Independence, cooperatives formed an integral part of the Congress vision of ‘rural development with local initiative’. A ‘special’ status was accorded to the sugar cooperatives and the government assumed the role of a mentor by acting as a stakeholder, guarantor and regulator. Persistence of the maze of regulations instituted five decades ago, despite its stated rationale being thwarted, suggests that it is maintained by entrenched vested interests. This paper calls for a fresh start with minimal regulations. The teething problems and initial market failures that may occur cannot be worse than the continuing saga of government failure.