The Burn Bag – National Security and Foreign Policy Redefined

India's 'Deep State': Investigative Journalist Josy Joseph on Illiberal Democracy and Corruption in India

April 24, 2022 Episode 112
The Burn Bag – National Security and Foreign Policy Redefined
India's 'Deep State': Investigative Journalist Josy Joseph on Illiberal Democracy and Corruption in India
Show Notes

This week, A'ndre and Ryan speak with renowned investigative journalist Josy Joseph, founder of Confluence Media, on the state of India's democracy in a conversation covering corruption and India's security apparatus. The first leg of the interview draws on Josy's book Feast of Vultures, as he discusses 'middle-men' -- those who manipulate government decision-making and manage access to decision-makers -- at the center of corruption that has led to the success of big businesses and the criminal enterprise. The second leg of the interview touches on Josy's most recent book, The Silent Coup: A History of India's Deep State, as Josy outlines why India's non-military security apparatus (encompassing police and intelligence services) constitute the 'deep state', and have significantly threatened democracy as they operate under the willpower of 'political masters'. We close out the interview by comparing India's democratic status to two other 'illiberal' democracies in South Asia: Pakistan and Sri Lanka.