• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ambition IAS

Online IAS Coaching, Preparation, Test Series & Current Affairs

  • KPSC Material
    • General FAQ
    • Books List
      • KAS Prelims Books List
      • KAS Mains Kannada Book List
      • KAS Mains English Book List
    • Free Downloads
      • KAS Prelims Preparation Time table
      • Karnataka Economic Survey (2013-14)
      • Karnataka Economic Survey (2014-15)
      • Previous Question Papers
    • Buy KPSC Prelims Material
      • Buy KAS Prelims Study Material
    • KPSC Mains Study Material
      • KPSC Mains Study Material
  • Mock Tests
    • Prelims Mock Test
      • Free Mock Tests
      • Paid Test Series
    • Mains Mock Test
      • Daily Free Questions (Updated on WhatsApp Group)
      • Paid Test Series
  • Join WhatsApp Group
  • KPSC Mains Test Series
  • UPSC 2015 Prelims MCQs
  • Doubts Corner
  • Contact Us

Are The Middle Class Angry ?

March 31, 2014 by KRS Leave a Comment

Transitions of the angry middle class (Opinion)

  • Few years ago, emerging markets and middle-income developing countries had an era of stability, democracy & mass consumer markets that led the world economy. But, democratic transition was not achieved despite the globally growing middle class. Instead, clashes between angry middle class and governments have become a norm.
  • Brazil and Turkey were rocked by urban protests. The idea of  Brazilian President Mr.Rousseff’s Workers’ Party to invest lavishly for the World Cup & Olympics by letting the exchange value of the  Brazilian Real soar & subsequent raising of bus fares, hit hard on the ordinary urban Brazilian.  She was forced to recast her policies thereon.
  • The decision to reshape the city with new construction by Turkish president including closing of Gezi park , a deeply valued urban refuge, led  to protests and his commitment to democracy was questioned.
  • Angry middle class are emerging everywhere and similar phenomenon is seen (the 4 middle-income countries) from São Paulo to Caracas,  from Sarajevo to Kiev & from Istanbul to Bangkok.
  • As per International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the 187 countries ranked, oil-enriched Venezuela, ranks 73rd in per capita  GDP (adjusted for purchasing power parity of its currency), Thailand ranks 92nd, Bosnia-Herzegovina ranks 99th, & Ukraine ranking  106th (poorest).
  • The increasing corruption & limiting accountability makes it crucial to decide if these countries will grow with the living standards of  richer countries,or fall back to the standards of poorer ones.
  • The economy of Ukraine grew 0.2 % only in 2012 according to world bank,while Bosnia-Herzegovina declined by 0.7 %. Thailand GDP increased by 6.5 % &Venezuela also had a strong growth of 5.6 % .
  • These short-term growth rates lack information about the gap between economic growth and political exclusion, or the amount of economic growth manipulated through corruption that can lead to eruption of anger seen through protests.
  • The corruption index compiled by Transparency International (TI) mentions that Thailand (ranks 102nd), Ukraine(144th) & Venezuela(160th) are most corrupt countries in the world.The 2012 TI scale rates Bosnia as honest with a rank of 72nd in corruption.
  • The frustrated middle classes who opted for change were neither always democrats or supported by majority population. In Bangkok the demonstrators are seeking to overturn a freely elected Prime Minister who has Thais support.
  • In Ukraine, protesters in Kiev overturned a government who won electoral support from a majority of the country.
  • Similiar to angry middle classes in these 4 countries, Indians wanted a government that is accountable, responsible, and effective in moving their country further into the modern world.

Exams Perspective:

  1. Transparency International (TI)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Filed Under: Current Affairs, International Tagged With: International Monetary Fund (IMF), Transparency International (TI)

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe To Newsletter





Like us on Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in