This paper opens the “black box” of real-world deliberation by using text-as-data methods on a corpus of transcripts from the constitutionally mandated gram sabhas, or village assemblies, of rural India. Drawing on normative theories of deliberation, we identify empirical standards for “good” deliberation based on one’s ability both to speak and to be heard, and use natural language processing methods to generate these measures. We first show that, even in the rural Indian context, these assemblies are not mere “talking shops,” but rather provide opportunities for citizens to challenge their elected officials, demand transparency, and provide information about local development needs. Second, we find that women are at a disadvantage relative to men; they are less likely to speak, set the agenda, and receive a relevant response from state officials. And finally, we show that quotas for women for village presidencies improve the likelihood that female citizens are heard.
The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
The resurgence of deliberative institutions in the developing world has prompted a renewed interest in the dynamics of citizen engagement. Using text-as-data methods on an original corpus of village assembly transcripts from rural Tamil Nadu, India, this paper opens the "black box" of deliberation to examine the gendered and status-based patterns of influence. Drawing on normative theories of deliberation, this analysis identifies a set of clear empirical standards for "good" deliberation, based on an individual's ability both to speak and be heard, and uses natural language processing methods to generate these measures. The study first shows that these assemblies are not mere "talking shop" for state officials to bluster and read banal announcements, but rather, provide opportunities for citizens to challenge their elected officials, demand transparency, and provide information about authentic local development needs. Second, the study finds that across multiple measures of deliberative influence, women are at a disadvantage relative to men; women are less likely to speak, set the agenda, and receive a relevant response from state officials. Finally, the paper shows that although quotas for women on village councils have little impact on the likelihood that they speak, they do improve the likelihood that female citizens are heard.
The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
While ethnic quotas are primarily used to increase minority political representation, they also act like term-limits for majority-group incumbents, who cannot seek reelection after quota implementation. As such, quotas may have the perverse effect of making incumbents less accountable during their last term, particularly to minorities. Although majority-group incumbents may still have social reasons to distribute benefits to their coethnics, they have less reason to do so for minorities, from whom they derive little social reward. Using the systematic rotation of caste quotas in south India, this article shows that village presidents who expect to be ousted by quota spend significantly less on minorities than those who can run again; however, they do not reduce spending on goods that benefit their own communities. These findings suggest that quota policies must be evaluated not just by whom they bring into office but also by whom they force out.
3087 Background: AT13387, a synthetic, non-ansamycin, small molecule inhibitor of HSP90 (Kd 0.71 nM), binds to the N-terminal ATP-binding site resulting in down-regulation of key oncoproteins (HER2 and ERK). In xenograft models AT13387 produced tumor growth inhibition on a QD x 2 dosing schedule. Objectives: To determine toxicity, MTD, PK, and pharmacodynamic (PD) effect of AT13387 given IV QD x 2, 3 weeks out of 4. Methods: Adult patients (pts) with advanced cancers progressing following standard therapy; ECOG ≤ 2; adequate organ function. One pt cohorts for first three dose levels (DLs, 20, 40, 80 mg/m2), planned 3+3 design at DL 4 (120 mg/m2). PK evaluations on C1D1 and C1D15. Mandatory tumor biopsies in expansion cohort at MTD for HER2+ tumors (baseline, C1D17) to evaluate HSP70 and HSP27 mRNA by RT-PCR; and client protein by IHC and immunoassay. HSP70 in PBMCs as a PD marker (pre-dose, D2, D15, D16) assessed by Western blot; serum markers of cell death, M30 and M65 (baseline and pre-dose C1D16), assessed by ELISA. Results: 12 pts treated up to DL 5 (160 mg/m2). Median age, 59; median # prior therapies, 3; diagnosis (# pts): colorectal (7); esophageal (2), liposarcoma (1); head and neck (1); synovial sarcoma (1). Drug-related toxicities (gr ≤ 2; # pts) in 9 evaluable pts: fatigue (5), rash (2), nausea (5), diarrhea (7), QTc prolongation (2), thrombocytopenia (5), AST (3) and ALT (2). Vision disorder (2 pts): gr 1, reversible, no objective findings on eye exams. DLT (1 pt, with liver metastases): DL 5, gr 3 AST/ALT. PK was dose proportional; T1/2 8 hrs. In one paired tumor biopsy (DL 3) an increase in HSP70 (> 1.5 fold) and HSP27 (2 fold) mRNA and a decrease in pERK was observed. M30 and M65 increased in 5/6 pts (p-value n.s.). Induction of HSP70 (1.48 - 5.01 fold) in PBMCs was noted at all time points following first dose (≥ DL 2). 3/9 pts had SD after 2 cycles. Conclusions: Preliminary data indicate that AT13387 QD x 2 is well tolerated and produces a sustained induction of HSP70 in PBMCs. Accrual is ongoing to establish the MTD and obtain further tumor biopsies for assessment of drug effect. Optional Indium-labeled trastuzumab scan will be used to evaluate drug effect on HER2 levels in pts with HER2 expressing tumors.
This chapter traces the evolution of deliberative institutions in India, as well as the ways in which deliberative bodies influence, and are in influenced by, entrenched social inequality. The paper first unpacks the historical roots of Indian deliberation, emphasizing the ways in which religious traditions fostered a culture of debate and dialogue. The paper then explores the interplay between Western liberal philosophers, most notably Henry Maine, and Indian political thinkers, including Gandhi and Ambedkar, on participatory democracy in India. The discussion then highlights the continued dialogue between Indian and Western ideas in the push for greater participatory development. Finally, the chapter probes the current incarnation of state-sponsored deliberation in India—namely, village assemblies known as gram sabhas under the constitutionally mandated system of Indian village democracy or Panchayati Raj, and reviews the growing empirical scholarship about these village assemblies.
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