A Comparative Analysis of Social Policy Development in South Asia; Pre to Post Colonial Era

Part of the International Social and Public Policy Seminar Series
Hosted by the Department of Social Policy on 1 February 2024

Presenter: Dr Zahid Mumtaz (Department of Social Policy LSE)
Chair: Dr Thomas Biegert (Department of Social Policy, LSE)

Abstract: The book explores the repercussions of colonization, specifically examining the impact of the colonial civil service on social policy development in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It traces the enduring influence of the civil service on social policy formulation and implementation in South Asia. During colonization, the British-established civil service wielded centralized control, implementing policies that favoured British interests, notably the divisive "divide and rule" strategy. Policies disproportionately benefited the formal public sector, creating a class divide where the civil service enjoyed substantial benefits, leaving the informal economy with limited welfare. Post-colonization, the civil service structure persisted, hindering the evolution of inclusive social policies. Despite international aid efforts, South Asian countries still grapple with exclusive social policies favouring the public sector. The prevalent informal economy in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan lacks formal support. Importantly, the civil service remains pivotal in shaping social policies, primarily benefiting itself and resisting structural change. This book emphasizes the enduring impact of colonization on South Asian social policies, advocating for inclusive reforms that address historical inequalities and restructure the influential role of the civil service in shaping future developments.

Presenter Bio: Dr Zahid is an LSE Fellow in Social Policy since Autumn 2023. He previously worked as a lecturer at ANU's School of Sociology. Zahid's research focuses on international social policy, formal and informal social protection, public administration theory and practice, and the application of classical and quantum machine learning to enhance policy interventions. His sole authored book "Informal Social Protection and Poverty," is published by Springer. Zahid's research has been featured in journals like the Journal of Social Policy, Social Policy and Administration, Social Policy and Society, and IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. Additionally, Zahid has over 15 years of experience in the public sector. Today, he presents his second forthcoming sole authored book manuscript, scheduled for publication by Palgrave UK in early 2025.