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{
  "authors": [
    "Milan Vaishnav"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
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  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "SAP",
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    "South Asia"
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}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Similarities Between Corruption in U.S. and Indian Politics

While corrupt politicians in India undoubtedly used some level of coercion, they were also popular because they were seen as getting things done for their community.

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By Milan Vaishnav
Published on Apr 10, 2017
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South Asia

The South Asia Program informs policy debates relating to the region’s security, economy, and political development. From strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific to India’s internal dynamics and U.S. engagement with the region, the program offers in-depth, rigorous research and analysis on South Asia’s most critical challenges.

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Source: Audio Boom

Speaking on #CyrusSays, Carnegie’s Milan Vaishnav discussed his experiences in India interviewing politicians with criminal records for his book, When Crime Pays. He argued that while the people he met undoubtedly used some level of coercion, they were also liked because they were seen as getting things done for their community.

Vaishnav went on to talk about the similarities between Indian and U.S. politics, as well future avenues of research related to political institutions. After years studying corruption in India, he said, corruption in the United States now appears to be a relevant topic.

This podcast was originally broadcast by Cyrus Says on Audio Boom.

About the Author

Milan Vaishnav

Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program

Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program and the host of the Grand Tamasha podcast at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His primary research focus is the political economy of India, and he examines issues such as corruption and governance, state capacity, federalism, and electoral behavior. He also conducts research on the Indian diaspora.

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Milan Vaishnav
Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program
Milan Vaishnav
Political ReformDemocracyNorth AmericaUnited StatesSouth AsiaIndia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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