Transformation from "Soft State" to "Strong State" in Uttar Pradesh: A Critical Evaluation of Crime Control Policies

Abstract

The “Soft State”, as suggested by Gunnar Myrdal, is a political system that lacks the ability to act, has weak law enforcement, is inefficient in administration and policy making and implementation. Uttar Pradesh has been a “Soft State” for long because of the prevalence of crime, mafia and communal violence which affected the general population and the investment climate in the State. In the past decade, the government has implemented several measures to address the situation, including increasing the number of security guards and implementing stricter regulations for social media.Over the past decade, the government has made a series of measures to enhance the situation, such as the deployment of more security guards and imposing more stringent laws on social media. Meanwhile, a shift in the perception of the nature of the Uttar Pradesh governance has been observed as the state has been growing in strength and efficiency. The objective of this paper is an analysis of the question from these angles to conclude if the transition from “Soft State” to “Strong State” is really taking place in Uttar Pradesh. The research will be done through qualitative and analytical approach and will be based on scholarly articles, government reports, statistics, court decisions, books, and newspaper articles. It will review the latest change of the police force, organized crime and technology and will examine the effects of these changes on the capacity of institutions and rule of law in the state.