Sociological Analysis of Freebies in Indian Electoral Politics

Freebies—short-term populist measures distributed for electoral gains—represent a complex interplay of welfare politics, economic pragmatism, and social stratification. This analysis employs sociological theories and thinkers to decode their implications for democracy, inequality, and statecraft.

1. Marxist Perspective: Class Struggle and Ideological Hegemony

Karl Marx’s historical materialism frames freebies as tools of the bourgeoisie to pacify the proletariat. By offering temporary relief (e.g., cash transfers, subsidized grains), the state perpetuates “false consciousness”, diverting attention from structural exploitation[1][5]. A.R. Desai, India’s foremost Marxist sociologist, critiqued such measures as “band-aid solutions” that ignore systemic agrarian crises and labor alienation[5]. His work *State and Society in India* (1975) argues that freebies sustain “neocolonial dependency” by prioritizing electoral calculus over land reforms or wage justice[5]. *Quote*: “The ruling ideas are the ideas of the ruling class.” – Karl Marx (*The German Ideology*).

2. Functionalist Perspective: Social Equilibrium and Latent Dysfunctions

Emile Durkheim’s social facts and Robert K. Merton’s manifest-latent functions reveal freebies’ dual role. While manifest functions include poverty alleviation (e.g., Tamil Nadu’s free bus passes for women)[1][3], latent dysfunctions like fiscal anomie (Durkheim) emerge when states like Punjab prioritize free electricity over infrastructure[6]. Merton’s *Social Theory and Social Structure* (1949) warns of “goal displacement”, where short-term electoral wins undermine long-term human capital development[5]. *Quote*: “Anomie arises when society’s regulatory mechanisms fail to check individual aspirations.” – Emile Durkheim (*Suicide*).

3. Feminist Perspective: Empowerment vs. Patronage

Feminist theorists highlight how freebies like sewing machines or menstrual kits in Bihar[3] oscillate between empowerment and patriarchal control. While NITI Aayog lauds increased female school enrollment via free bicycles[5], Andre Beteille’s *Caste, Class and Power* (1965) critiques such measures as “symbolic tokenism” that ignore caste-gender intersections[7]. Postmodern feminists argue freebies reduce women to “vote banks” rather than addressing unpaid labor or workplace discrimination[3]. *Quote*: “Patriarchy is not a frozen system; it adapts through ‘modern’ welfare.” – Sharmila Rege (*Caste and Gender*).

4. Weberian Perspective: Legitimacy and Rational-Legal Authority

Max Weber’s rationalization theory dissects freebies as instruments of charismatic authority. Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK, for instance, leverages free laptops to cultivate a technocratic image while masking fiscal irresponsibility[1][6]. Yogendra Singh’s *Modernization of Indian Tradition* (1973) ties this to “sanskritization of politics”, where parties mimic welfare rhetoric to legitimize power[7]. *Quote*: “Politics is the art of compromise between ethics and expediency.” – Max Weber (*Politics as a Vocation*).

5. Structural-Functionalist Perspective: Srinivas and Dominant Caste Dynamics

M.N. Srinivas’ dominant caste theory explains why landowning castes in Uttar Pradesh secure farm loan waivers while marginalized groups receive symbolic freebies[6]. His *Social Change in Modern India* (1966) shows how freebies reinforce “vertical patronage”, consolidating caste-based electoral blocs[2]. *Quote*: “The dominant caste acts as a prism through which power and resources are refracted.” – M.N. Srinivas.

6. Ambedkarite Perspective: Social Justice or Co-option?

B.R. Ambedkar’s *Annihilation of Caste* (1936) warns that freebies like Maharashtra’s Dalit scholarships risk “graded inequality” by substituting substantive asset redistribution with temporary aid[5]. Contemporary scholars like Suraj Yengde argue that “Ambedkar’s constitutional morality” demands land reforms over free smartphones[7]. *Quote*: “Political democracy cannot last unless there is social democracy.” – B.R. Ambedkar.

7. Gandhian Perspective: Swaraj vs. Dependency

MK Gandhi’s *Hind Swaraj* (1909) condemns freebies as antithetical to “swadeshi self-reliance”. While Gujarat’s Ujjwala gas cylinders align with Gandhian “antyodaya”, their linkage to Aadhaar excludes migrant laborers, perpetuating “sarkari paternalism”[4]. *Quote*: “Charity degrades; self-help dignifies.” – MK Gandhi.

8. Post-Structuralist Perspective: Power/Knowledge and Electoral Spectacle

Michel Foucault’s governmentality frames freebies as “biopolitical tools” to discipline populations. The RBI’s 2025 report distinguishes welfare (e.g., MGNREGA) from “revdi culture”, creating a discourse that criminalizes the poor’s demands while legitimizing corporate tax cuts[2][8]. *Quote*: “Power is exercised through the production of truth.” – Michel Foucault.

Conclusion

Freebies exemplify the paradox of “welfare clientelism”—balancing immediate relief with systemic reform. As the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling emphasized, sustainable policies must transcend “electoral opium” (Marx) to foster Ambedkarite social democracy. Only then can India’s “tryst with destiny” avoid becoming a Faustian bargain.

Citations:
[1] https://triumphias.com/blog/sociological-analysis-of-freebies/
[2] https://www.nextias.com/ca/current-affairs/13-02-2025/freebies-culture-in-india
[3] https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/freebies-culture-in-india
[4] https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/balancing-freebies-and-welfare
[5] https://www.pmfias.com/freebies/
[6] https://triumphias.com/blog/unpacking-freebie-politics/
[7] https://triumphias.com/blog/sociological-analysis-of-freebies/
[8] https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/sansad-tv-perspective-freebies-culture-economy/
[9] https://reliableandvalid.com
[10] https://byjus.com/current-affairs/freebies-in-india/
[11] https://sleepyclasses.com/sociology-downloads/
[12] https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/mains-articles/freebies-debate-in-india/
[13] https://www.dhyeyaias.com/daily-current-affairs/the-freebies-culture-in-india-supreme-court-concerns-and-multifaceted-dimensions
[14] https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2025-02-13/economics-(macroeconomics)/the-supreme-court-slams-pre-election-freebies
[15] https://www.sriramsias.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/freebies-in-india-critical-analysis/
[16] https://www.shankariasparliament.com/current-affairs/the-freebie-culture
[17] https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/09/06/sansad-tv-perspective-freebies-culture-economy-2/
[18] https://cdn.visionias.in/value_added_material/d10eb-sociology-strategic-document.pdf
[19] https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/freebies-culture-economy-sansad-tv-prespective
[20] https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/MzY1MzU1/Perspective-Freebies-Culture-Economy-Economic-Affairs