We all have a view on what governments should or should not do. But we often come to decide these views merely on intuitions, experiences, and partisan biases. The result is that government actions often confound us. 

This introductory talk is meant for people who want to begin understanding the Indian State and its policies better. Is the Indian State strong or weak? Why do seemingly great ideas fail on the ground? How should we, as citizens, think about the Indian State? These are some themes this talk will cover and uncover. 

• Type of talk: Intro